Electro

The Electro, manufactured by the Electro-Ball Company of Dallas, Texas in 1934, holds a place in the early history of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball. Interestingly, records note it was actually manufactured by the Exhibit Supply Company, and its playfield closely resembles Exhibit's own 1934 game also titled 'Electro,' minus that game's extra plunger for buying additional balls.

The Electro's gameplay mechanics are a highlight of this machine. Its dual trap holes, also functioning as kick-out holes, introduce an element of strategy and anticipation. When a ball is trapped in one of these holes, it remains there until another ball lands in the 'Electro' hole at the top of the playfield, triggering a bell and ejecting the trapped balls toward higher-scoring areas. This clever design encourages players to think ahead and manage their shots effectively. The Out-Ball Return hole, located in the center of the playfield, offers an additional layer of replayability by returning all out-of-play balls to the player for another shot.

Unfortunately, little additional information about the Electro's theme or artwork has surfaced. Nonetheless, its unusual dual-manufacturer history and inventive trap-hole gameplay mechanics make it a fascinating piece of pinball's formative years for enthusiasts to discover and study.