Treasure Hunt
About This Machine
Treasure Hunt, manufactured by Gerber & Glass Distributing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1935, is an early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine built around an adventure/pirate theme. As one of the earliest known pinball designs, it offers a window into the industry's formative years.
Gameplay centers on affordability and volume: the machine offered 10 balls for just 5 cents, encouraging repeat play. Its playfield features 16 trap holes that challenge players to navigate the ball with precision, while a row of light bulbs along the top of the playfield -- powered by a battery -- added a novel visual touch for the mid-1930s.
The Treasure Hunt's pirate-adventure theme fits the swashbuckling entertainment trends of the era. The cabinet measures 38 inches long, 20 1/2 inches wide, and 12 1/2 inches high at its tallest point; the example documented here is missing its legs. No information about the machine's designer has survived, but its surviving hardware makes it a valuable artifact for studying 1930s pinball design.
Images (9)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Adventure - Pirates
- Notable Features:
- 10 balls for 5 cents. Trap holes (16). The row of light bulbs along top of playfield apparently was lit by a battery. The game pictured here has no legs attached. The cabinet measures 38 inches long, 20 1/2 inches wide, and 12 1/2 inches high at the highest end.