Rola

Meet Rola, a rare and enigmatic pinball machine from circa the early 1930s. Its significance lies not only in its age but also in its innovative design, which predates the modern concept of pinball as we know it today. As a Pure Mechanical (PM) cue game for two players, Rola relies on physical mechanisms to guide the ball around the playfield, rather than electronic controls, making it an important artifact for historians and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of pinball technology.

Rola's gameplay is characterized by a unique skill shot feature: before each ball is shot into play, the player operates a handle to position a curved metal piece at the desired angle, guiding the ball to a chosen spot on the playfield. This level of player interaction was a precursor to the more complex, interactive features found in modern pinball machines. The game, measuring 36 inches high and 38 inches across, is covered by U.S. Patent No. 1,889,899 (filed October 25, 1929, granted December 6, 1932 to inventor Max Langenhaun), alongside German D.R.G.M. and D.R.P. markings suggesting a connection to the German firm Hupfeld-Zimmermann Bros., though the manufacturer remains formally unconfirmed.

While the machine's theme and specific design details are not well documented, its patented ball-positioning mechanism offers a fascinating glimpse into experimentation with skill-based mechanics in the early 1930s, drawing on ideas from other tabletop and cue-based games of the era. Rola's existence is a testament to the pioneering spirit of early game designers and manufacturers who laid the groundwork for the modern pinball industry.