Double Shuffle

Charles Marshall Gravatt's 1932 Double Shuffle stands as one of the earliest and most intriguing examples of mechanical pinball design. As a pure mechanical (PM) machine, it predates the introduction of electromechanical components, showcasing the innovative spirit of early pinball pioneers. Its presence in pinball history is significant, marking a transitional period between manual and automated gameplay.

The Double Shuffle's distinctive feature lies in its dual-lever system, with each of two levers controlling four mechanical flippers simultaneously -- eight flippers in total. This unique setup allows for complex strategies and rapid-fire gameplay, making it an attractive offering to enthusiasts of early pinball machines. The absence of electrical components underscores the resourcefulness of early pinball designers, and the game notably never had a plunger.

Gravatt's game was not immediately patented, which led another company to market a similar game as Western Mfg.'s 1932 'Shuffle Ball.' After several months of manufacture and operation in North Carolina, Hercules Novelty Company's president Charles Chizewer convinced Gravatt to patent his design, resulting in U.S. Patent No. 1,885,036, granted October 25, 1932. Despite its age and relative obscurity, the Double Shuffle remains an important piece of pinball history, offering a glimpse into the evolution of mechanical design and gameplay that shaped the industry to come.