Boomerang

The Boomerang, produced by Amusematic Corporation in February 1947, is an early example of a vertical, flipperless electro-mechanical pinball machine from the postwar era. As a pioneering EM game, it showcases pinball's transition from purely mechanical designs toward electrified gameplay. The earliest known trade mention of the game is a February 1947 Billboard listing describing it as an "upright pin game."

What sets the Boomerang apart is its unique gameplay mechanics. Players can shoot up to five balls for just 5 cents, navigating the playfield's intricate layout in pursuit of scoring opportunities. At the start of a game, three of the six top lanes and three of the six bottom lanes are lit; sending a ball through a lit lane scores 5000 points and adds a letter toward spelling M-Y-S-T-E-R-Y in the backglass, with a completed word lighting all six top lanes for 5000 points. Additionally, an oscillating metal basket at the playfield's lower end adds an element of unpredictability, delivering balls that land in its hoop to the left-side Boomerang lane for extra scoring potential.

The Boomerang's theme draws on a circus/carnival, clown motif, fitting the era's popular amusement aesthetics. The cabinet measures 84 inches high, 21 inches wide, and 18 inches deep, making it a tall, upright presence in any game room or collection. As an unusual and little-documented vertical flipperless design, the Boomerang remains an intriguing piece for pinball enthusiasts interested in the early postwar development of the game.