Parachute

The Parachute pinball machine is a rare and fascinating example of early electro-mechanical (EM) design from Daval Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, active from 1934 to 1939. Dating to circa 1938-39 (the latest coin chute stamp reads 1938), it is a flipperless game with a carnival parachuting theme and a lack of designer attribution that adds to its mystique.

Gameplay on the Parachute is characterized by 12 spring bumpers, a staple of early pinball design, which provide a unique challenge for players. The presence of a free play hole adds an element of unpredictability, while the leather-like material used to line the playfield walls—rather than metal springs as on similar games—sets it apart from other EM machines of its era. A notable feature is the Free Game unit, which can be adjusted to award either one or two free games by simply relocating a bracket.

The backglass depicts a six-chute parachute drop ride, possibly the "Pair-O-Chutes" attraction at Chicago's Riverview Park, whose success is said to have inspired the larger Parachute Jump built for the 1939 World's Fair at Coney Island. The backglass and playfield designs resemble Daval's 1939 'Liberty.' This machine remains an intriguing find for collectors and historians due to its rarity and unique features.