Marbelous

The Marbelous, manufactured by Superior Products Co. of Chicago in February 1932, stands as one of the earliest known examples of a pure mechanical pinball machine, predating the invention of the flipper by over fifteen years. As such, it is a notable artifact from pinball's pre-flipper era, when games relied purely on gravity, pins, and skillful launching rather than player-controlled paddles.

Two surviving examples of the Marbelous are known, and they differ mainly in their assigned point scores. One example has a lower playfield plate with no text and decals added later to increase point values, and was reportedly played with five balls (white marbles) per game. The other example's lower playfield plate bears the game's name, was set up for ten balls per penny, and has a rear cabinet plate confirming Superior Products Co. of Chicago as the manufacturer; this example measures 40 1/4 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 38 inches high, with its side knob missing and mechanism operable with a wrench.

Beyond these physical details, little else is documented about the Marbelous's design, artwork, or gameplay rules. Its age and scarcity make it a historically significant piece, offering a tangible link to pinball's earliest mechanical days before electrification or flippers existed.