The Cricket

The Cricket, manufactured by Arlington Sales Company of Coldwater, Michigan in July 1932, is an early example of a pure mechanical pinball machine. It dates from the very beginning of the coin-operated pingame boom, predating the electromechanical machines that would soon follow. In an era before electrically-driven flippers and scoring systems, The Cricket's operation relied entirely on mechanical action, with the player launching balls onto the playfield with a plunger.

Little is known about this single-player machine beyond its basic specifications, but it remains an intriguing piece of pinball history, particularly among enthusiasts who value early examples of the game. The Cricket serves as a tangible link to the pioneering days of pinball, when the core mechanics and gameplay principles were still being established, ultimately paving the way for the modern pinball landscape we know today.