Cannon Fire Jr.

Cannon Fire Jr. stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of early pinball manufacturers, particularly Kenneth C. Shyvers and his Shyvers Coin Automatic Machine Company of Seattle, Washington, which produced this electro-mechanical (EM) machine in July 1934 as part of the "Spirit of America" series. As an early example from this brief yet influential era, Cannon Fire Jr. represents an interesting chapter in the evolution of pinball.

The machine's gameplay is notable for its innovative use of ball kickers and rollover switches: players get 10 balls for 5 cents, and the playfield features four ball kickers -- two lower cannons that automatically kick the ball back into play on contact, and two upper cannons that hold a ball in place until another ball passes through a covered rollover switch on the same side of the playfield, triggering its release.

While Cannon Fire Jr.'s design and artwork may not be as ornate or thematically driven as later pinball machines, its historical significance lies in its representation of early experimentation with EM technology. Shyvers' company played a role in shaping the industry's future, laying the groundwork for the more complex electromechanical pinball games that followed.