Circus

The Brunswick Circus pinball machine from September 1932 is an early piece of pinball history. Produced during a time when pinball was still a relatively new and experimental form of entertainment, this machine showcases the creativity that defined the industry's earliest years, when countergames and pure mechanical designs ruled the market.

Circus offered 1-cent or 5-cent play, allowing players to enjoy the experience at an affordable cost, and its playfield used rubber-covered nails as obstacles. The cabinet was advertised as 32 inches long and 16 inches wide, and the game is classified as a Pure Mechanical (PM) table top/counter game, a category that predates the electromechanical era. Interestingly, the game was also sold as a replacement playfield for "all standard games" of the day.

The theme of happiness and a carnival atmosphere is reflected in the machine's design, offering an intriguing glimpse into the aesthetic preferences of its time. Unfortunately, little information survives about this specific model's origins or designer. Nonetheless, as an early example of pinball history, Circus remains an interesting artifact for enthusiasts and collectors to study and appreciate.