Whoopee Ball

The Whoopee Ball is a rare and enigmatic mechanical pinball machine from 1931, one of the earliest known examples of its kind and a window into the nascent, pre-electromechanical stages of pinball's evolution. Its manufacturer is unknown.

Gameplay on the Whoopee Ball is characterized by its five steel balls, playable for just one cent. The machine's compact size — 14 1/4 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 7 inches deep at the bottom, tapering to 4 3/4 inches at the top — belies a functional mechanism built entirely from mechanical components, with no electric or electromechanical elements. A related counter-top game with an identical vertical cabinet and marquee, also called "Whoopee Ball," used a full spiral lane instead of pockets and is also believed to date to 1931.

The Whoopee Ball's design is minimalist, with a straightforward, functional aesthetic — its aluminum sign and modest dimensions reflect the simple novelty-counter-game format common in the very early 1930s. There is no discernible theme or artwork adorning the machine, suggesting its focus lay purely in providing a quick, low-cost game rather than telling a story.