De-Icer

De-Icer, designed by Harry Williams with artwork by George Molentin, was released by Williams Manufacturing Company on November 18, 1949. Coming just two years after flippers first appeared on pinball machines, it uses an unusual early flipper arrangement: pressing either flipper button pulses both impulse flippers simultaneously, requiring players to master a distinct sense of timing rather than controlling each flipper independently.

Beyond its two impulse flippers, the playfield offers two pop bumpers and five kick-out holes, adding layers of scoring variety and strategy. The tilt system is also distinctive: the tilt penalty costs only the ball in play, and the tilt is reset when the ball passes through a rollunder wire at the bottom of the playfield below the flippers.

The game's aviation-and-women theme has a charming origin: its name comes from "Lil' De-Icer," one of the many appellations given to the pin-up 'nose art' painted on the front of American aircraft during the World Wars. With its quirky flipper mechanics and period charm, De-Icer offers enthusiasts a glimpse into the experimental early years of flipper pinball.