Unknown

This enigmatic Pure Mechanical pinball machine from Superior Amusement Company of Portland, Oregon, dates to 1934 and offers a glimpse into the early days of the pinball industry in the United States. Superior Amusement was founded by Lou Dunis in the early 1930s, initially as an operating company that, spurred by the Depression, moved into manufacturing pinball machines using local furniture plants.

The gameplay features are refreshingly straightforward: insert five cents to play with ten steel balls, navigating them through a 21-trap-hole layout that includes a single free-play hole. A loop-the-loop shooter lane allows the ball to complete a 360-degree rotation before entering the playing field, showcasing the ingenuity early manufacturers built into otherwise simple mechanisms.

One intriguing detail is the topmost trap hole, labeled "DODO." The significance of this label remains unclear, but it may hint at a theme or narrative that has been lost to time. Despite its unknown designer and largely undocumented history, this Superior Amusement Company pinball offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to appreciate the pioneering work of early mechanical pinball manufacturers.