Chief

The Chief pinball machine, manufactured by Exhibit Supply Company (ESCO) of Chicago in January 1939, is a flipperless electro-mechanical (EM) game from a period of rapid growth and experimentation in the industry, as manufacturers sought to create more engaging and challenging gameplay experiences.

The machine's features include 12 spring bumpers, two kick-out holes, and a captive ball in the lower left playfield — a design element that was ahead of its time. The game measures 22 inches wide by 47 inches long and stands about 63 inches high on its legs.

The Chief's railroad theme evokes the glamour of train travel in the 1930s. Its name almost certainly nods to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's famous "Chief"-named passenger trains: when this machine was made in January 1939, both The Chief and the Super Chief were running between Chicago and Los Angeles, terminating at Chicago's Dearborn Station. Little is known about the game's designer or production numbers, but its place in pinball's pre-flipper era makes it a fascinating piece for collectors and historians alike.