Chevron

The Chevron, manufactured by Bally in May 1939, comes from the flipperless era of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball, a design approach that would dominate the industry for decades to come. As such, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the development of pinball mechanics and gameplay before the invention of the flipper.

The Chevron boasts several engaging features for its time. With 12 spring bumpers and five balls playable for just five cents, players could enjoy extended gaming sessions without breaking the bank. One of the most intriguing aspects is the interaction between the playfield and backglass: hitting numbered bumpers on the playfield lights corresponding numbers on the backglass, creating a dynamic display that added to the excitement of gameplay.

Notably, free games (replays) are projected onto the backglass, an inventive presentation for the era. As a single-player, flipperless Bally game from 1939, the Chevron captures pinball at a formative moment in its history.