Spirit of America

The Spirit of America, manufactured by Shyvers Manufacturing Company of Seattle, Washington, in September 1933, holds a notable place in early pinball history as the first machine in what would become the "Spirit of America" series -- a lineage that continued with later Shyvers titles including several versions of "Cannon Fire Jr." As one of the early EM-era American pinball machines from the early 1930s, its existence reflects the innovative spirit of pinball manufacturers experimenting with new ideas during the medium's formative years.

Details about Spirit of America's specific gameplay objectives and mechanics are not well documented today. Like other pinball machines of 1933, it predates the invention of the flipper by well over a decade, so gameplay would have relied on skillful shooting and mechanical targets rather than player-controlled flippers.

The Spirit of America's design likely reflects the aesthetic trends of early-1930s America, though detailed historical records of its art and theme have not survived. As the originator of the Spirit of America series, it offers a glimpse into the formative years of pinball, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to appreciate its significance within the broader context of the game's development.