Rodeo

The 1935 Rodeo pinball machine from Automatic Engineering Corporation is a significant artifact of early pinball history. As one of the first electro-mechanical (EM) machines, it showcases the evolution of pinball from its humble beginnings as a coin-operated bagatelle game to a more sophisticated electromechanical device. The fact that it predates many other well-documented early pinballs makes Rodeo an attractive find for collectors and historians.

Gameplay on Rodeo is likely simple by today's standards, but it would have been novel in 1935, more than a decade before flippers existed. Players would insert coins and use a plunger to launch balls onto the playfield, earning rewards based on where the ball came to rest, as was typical of flipperless EM machines of the era. The rules of play are unknown, leaving room for speculation among enthusiasts. What is certain is that Rodeo represents a critical juncture in pinball's development from a basic game of chance to one with more complex mechanics.

The design and art on Rodeo are relatively understated compared to later pinballs, but its age and rarity make it a highly sought-after collector's item. Unfortunately, no specific details about the machine's theme or notable features have been uncovered in research. However, given its status as an early EM machine, it is likely that Rodeo has a certain charm and historical significance that will captivate enthusiasts of vintage pinball machines.