Checkers

The International Mutoscope Reel Company's 1935 Checkers is a historically interesting artifact of the early days of coin-operated amusement machines. A purely mechanical, single-player countertop-scale game measuring 40 inches long by 20 inches wide, it reflects a period when manufacturers were constantly experimenting with new designs and mechanisms.

One of the most unusual aspects of Checkers is its versatility: the game was shipped with two additional backboards that allowed operators to convert it into "Form-A-Word" or "Poker", effectively offering three games in one cabinet. This kind of convertible design showcases the ingenuity of early game builders looking to give operators more value from a single machine.

Checkers was designed by Jack Firestone. Little else is known about the machine beyond its compact dimensions and its checkers theme, making it an interesting subject for historians and enthusiasts exploring the pre-flipper era of pin games.