@ourlostarcade.bsky.social
Discovering the arcade's past!
A journey through the history of coin-op. Games, jukeboxes, vending, and more from the 1st century to the 20th!
Also @playhistory.bsky.social
A journey through the history of coin-op. Games, jukeboxes, vending, and more from the 1st century to the 20th!
Also @playhistory.bsky.social
Pinned
This is Our Lost Arcade!
I talk about coin-operated devices of yesteryear: Pinball, jukeboxes, vending machines, binoculars, turnstyles - you name it!
Come along to explore over 100 years of mechanical and electro-mechanical devices of the #arcade that will astound and delight you.
I talk about coin-operated devices of yesteryear: Pinball, jukeboxes, vending machines, binoculars, turnstyles - you name it!
Come along to explore over 100 years of mechanical and electro-mechanical devices of the #arcade that will astound and delight you.
Spotlight Golf contained very state-of-the-art technology for its time, which enabled it to create a unique gameplay experience.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Spotlight Golf contained very state-of-the-art technology for its time, which enabled it to create a unique gameplay experience.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
Taito is searching for a working Crown 602 crane game.
soranews24.com/2025/11/12/m...
I have to note that this was not the first crane game in Japan, and the design itself was based on an Italian model (see @cpi.pinball.horse):
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2024/03/jagu...
soranews24.com/2025/11/12/m...
I have to note that this was not the first crane game in Japan, and the design itself was based on an Italian model (see @cpi.pinball.horse):
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2024/03/jagu...
Maker of Japan’s first crane machine is looking for a working model, offering 100,000-yen reward
Taito is also giving away free games to fans with personal memories of the Crown 602.
soranews24.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Taito is searching for a working Crown 602 crane game.
soranews24.com/2025/11/12/m...
I have to note that this was not the first crane game in Japan, and the design itself was based on an Italian model (see @cpi.pinball.horse):
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2024/03/jagu...
soranews24.com/2025/11/12/m...
I have to note that this was not the first crane game in Japan, and the design itself was based on an Italian model (see @cpi.pinball.horse):
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2024/03/jagu...
Britain in the mid-1930s does not seem like a time or place of leisure innovation with the circumstances of war in Europe, yet it proved a fertile ground for the evolution of #arcade games.
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Britain in the mid-1930s does not seem like a time or place of leisure innovation with the circumstances of war in Europe, yet it proved a fertile ground for the evolution of #arcade games.
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Reposted
7 more scans of The Billboard are now up! This concludes the large box of incredibly rare (though crumbling) Billboard magazines I was given at Ontario Pinfest.
1935-1946 represented, huge range
pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2025/11/scan...
#pinball #retroarcade #scans #slotmachines #skeeball
1935-1946 represented, huge range
pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2025/11/scan...
#pinball #retroarcade #scans #slotmachines #skeeball
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
7 more scans of The Billboard are now up! This concludes the large box of incredibly rare (though crumbling) Billboard magazines I was given at Ontario Pinfest.
1935-1946 represented, huge range
pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2025/11/scan...
#pinball #retroarcade #scans #slotmachines #skeeball
1935-1946 represented, huge range
pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2025/11/scan...
#pinball #retroarcade #scans #slotmachines #skeeball
Another game capitalizing on war-time anxiety: Ace Bomber by International Mutoscope!
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Another game capitalizing on war-time anxiety: Ace Bomber by International Mutoscope!
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Don't climb on the #pinball!
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Don't climb on the #pinball!
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
The post-war period carried on some of the frugality of the war days, with conversion kits for popular titles being an open opportunity for smaller manufacturers.
Bag-A-Bunny replaced Seeburg light gun games like Ray-o-Lite and Chicken Sam, hopefully bringing vitality to forgotten machines.
Bag-A-Bunny replaced Seeburg light gun games like Ray-o-Lite and Chicken Sam, hopefully bringing vitality to forgotten machines.
November 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The post-war period carried on some of the frugality of the war days, with conversion kits for popular titles being an open opportunity for smaller manufacturers.
Bag-A-Bunny replaced Seeburg light gun games like Ray-o-Lite and Chicken Sam, hopefully bringing vitality to forgotten machines.
Bag-A-Bunny replaced Seeburg light gun games like Ray-o-Lite and Chicken Sam, hopefully bringing vitality to forgotten machines.
Passed only just last year, Stanley Jarocki was one of the leading marketing magnates of the coin-op industry in the pre-video era.
At Seeburg, he was an enthusiastic advocate for new locations and ideas for jukeboxes. At Midway, he helped heighten the video game revolution.
At Seeburg, he was an enthusiastic advocate for new locations and ideas for jukeboxes. At Midway, he helped heighten the video game revolution.
October 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Passed only just last year, Stanley Jarocki was one of the leading marketing magnates of the coin-op industry in the pre-video era.
At Seeburg, he was an enthusiastic advocate for new locations and ideas for jukeboxes. At Midway, he helped heighten the video game revolution.
At Seeburg, he was an enthusiastic advocate for new locations and ideas for jukeboxes. At Midway, he helped heighten the video game revolution.
Gambling could hardly be simpler than Ad-Lee's Kings Horses.
Put in your penny, choose your horse, and collect from the owner. Definitely no rigging or jipping involved.
Put in your penny, choose your horse, and collect from the owner. Definitely no rigging or jipping involved.
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Gambling could hardly be simpler than Ad-Lee's Kings Horses.
Put in your penny, choose your horse, and collect from the owner. Definitely no rigging or jipping involved.
Put in your penny, choose your horse, and collect from the owner. Definitely no rigging or jipping involved.
In a special treat at Pinball Expo, I even got to play the famed Baffle Ball (often inaccurately dubbed the first pinball) - which many will remember from Microsoft Pinball Arcade.
It plays distinctly differently than the tables that come right after it; was a thrill to get my hands on it.
It plays distinctly differently than the tables that come right after it; was a thrill to get my hands on it.
October 25, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In a special treat at Pinball Expo, I even got to play the famed Baffle Ball (often inaccurately dubbed the first pinball) - which many will remember from Microsoft Pinball Arcade.
It plays distinctly differently than the tables that come right after it; was a thrill to get my hands on it.
It plays distinctly differently than the tables that come right after it; was a thrill to get my hands on it.
Another from pinball expo: The remarkable, rare, fully-mechanical table Army and Navy by Rock-Ola.
This themed pin replicates the yardage of an American football game with a clever carriage system and snappy play action.
This themed pin replicates the yardage of an American football game with a clever carriage system and snappy play action.
October 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Another from pinball expo: The remarkable, rare, fully-mechanical table Army and Navy by Rock-Ola.
This themed pin replicates the yardage of an American football game with a clever carriage system and snappy play action.
This themed pin replicates the yardage of an American football game with a clever carriage system and snappy play action.
The pre-War selection at Pinball Expo was incredible!
One of the coolest machines was the 1935 Seeburg Hockey table - the original game that likely inspired Pong decades later.
One of the coolest machines was the 1935 Seeburg Hockey table - the original game that likely inspired Pong decades later.
October 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The pre-War selection at Pinball Expo was incredible!
One of the coolest machines was the 1935 Seeburg Hockey table - the original game that likely inspired Pong decades later.
One of the coolest machines was the 1935 Seeburg Hockey table - the original game that likely inspired Pong decades later.
I'm at Pinball Expo! Say hello if you see me.
October 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm at Pinball Expo! Say hello if you see me.
I wrote up a more formal version of this examination of the slot machine myth on Reddit, in case anybody needs some proper citations.
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
October 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I wrote up a more formal version of this examination of the slot machine myth on Reddit, in case anybody needs some proper citations.
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted
Words from Taito founder Michael Kogan, long passed, about the importance of history.
If only he'd actually written anything down...
If only he'd actually written anything down...
October 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Words from Taito founder Michael Kogan, long passed, about the importance of history.
If only he'd actually written anything down...
If only he'd actually written anything down...
Wartime could be scoretime if you played your cards right.
With no care for the veneer of treaties, Bally unleashed several combat-themed light gun games in the few years before the war to capitalize on public sentiment.
With no care for the veneer of treaties, Bally unleashed several combat-themed light gun games in the few years before the war to capitalize on public sentiment.
October 9, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Wartime could be scoretime if you played your cards right.
With no care for the veneer of treaties, Bally unleashed several combat-themed light gun games in the few years before the war to capitalize on public sentiment.
With no care for the veneer of treaties, Bally unleashed several combat-themed light gun games in the few years before the war to capitalize on public sentiment.
One of the earliest "themed" games, the trade stimulator Dewey by Mills Novelty venerated the recent war hero of Manila Bay, George Dewey.
These stylish and grand machines were of the early generation of gambling, before the tabletop games.
These stylish and grand machines were of the early generation of gambling, before the tabletop games.
October 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM
One of the earliest "themed" games, the trade stimulator Dewey by Mills Novelty venerated the recent war hero of Manila Bay, George Dewey.
These stylish and grand machines were of the early generation of gambling, before the tabletop games.
These stylish and grand machines were of the early generation of gambling, before the tabletop games.
Some follow-up research on the early Sportland arcades!
While the Hobby House was the prototype of the Sportland, we didn't know when the first location dubbed "Sportland" opened.
Thanks to the local Long Island newspaper, we can now answer that it first opened in July 1931.
While the Hobby House was the prototype of the Sportland, we didn't know when the first location dubbed "Sportland" opened.
Thanks to the local Long Island newspaper, we can now answer that it first opened in July 1931.
October 3, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Some follow-up research on the early Sportland arcades!
While the Hobby House was the prototype of the Sportland, we didn't know when the first location dubbed "Sportland" opened.
Thanks to the local Long Island newspaper, we can now answer that it first opened in July 1931.
While the Hobby House was the prototype of the Sportland, we didn't know when the first location dubbed "Sportland" opened.
Thanks to the local Long Island newspaper, we can now answer that it first opened in July 1931.
A quiz for you:
What pioneering coin-op machine released mid-decade drove electro-mechanical amusements into new locations and pushed a new coin price for games?
Would you believe that it happened twice?
These are the bizarre, parallel tales of the quiz game booms in the 40s and 60s.
What pioneering coin-op machine released mid-decade drove electro-mechanical amusements into new locations and pushed a new coin price for games?
Would you believe that it happened twice?
These are the bizarre, parallel tales of the quiz game booms in the 40s and 60s.
September 30, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A quiz for you:
What pioneering coin-op machine released mid-decade drove electro-mechanical amusements into new locations and pushed a new coin price for games?
Would you believe that it happened twice?
These are the bizarre, parallel tales of the quiz game booms in the 40s and 60s.
What pioneering coin-op machine released mid-decade drove electro-mechanical amusements into new locations and pushed a new coin price for games?
Would you believe that it happened twice?
These are the bizarre, parallel tales of the quiz game booms in the 40s and 60s.
Iconic war-time coin-op ads.
September 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Iconic war-time coin-op ads.
Let's take a look back exactly 100 years ago at what coin machines were being advertised in Billboard, September 19, 1925.
Wee Gee by Boyce Coin machine was a penny drop machine with a fortune telling gimmick - and a very funny name.
Wee Gee by Boyce Coin machine was a penny drop machine with a fortune telling gimmick - and a very funny name.
September 18, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Let's take a look back exactly 100 years ago at what coin machines were being advertised in Billboard, September 19, 1925.
Wee Gee by Boyce Coin machine was a penny drop machine with a fortune telling gimmick - and a very funny name.
Wee Gee by Boyce Coin machine was a penny drop machine with a fortune telling gimmick - and a very funny name.
"Will Pin Games Last?"
From the year 2025: so long as mankind is still alive.
From the year 2025: so long as mankind is still alive.
September 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
"Will Pin Games Last?"
From the year 2025: so long as mankind is still alive.
From the year 2025: so long as mankind is still alive.
One of Peo's tabletop all-win "spiral games" - Barnyard Golf!
What's it got to do with golf? Beats me. But it's a glorious day to spin a ball through the lanes, so why not?
What's it got to do with golf? Beats me. But it's a glorious day to spin a ball through the lanes, so why not?
September 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
One of Peo's tabletop all-win "spiral games" - Barnyard Golf!
What's it got to do with golf? Beats me. But it's a glorious day to spin a ball through the lanes, so why not?
What's it got to do with golf? Beats me. But it's a glorious day to spin a ball through the lanes, so why not?
Reposted
My presentation from Replaying Japan 2025 on eremeka is now online.
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2025/09/repl...
I do not have the Q&A from the live portion, but hope to go back and add that eventually.
#retroarcade #eremeka #japan #arcade
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2025/09/repl...
I do not have the Q&A from the live portion, but hope to go back and add that eventually.
#retroarcade #eremeka #japan #arcade
September 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
My presentation from Replaying Japan 2025 on eremeka is now online.
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2025/09/repl...
I do not have the Q&A from the live portion, but hope to go back and add that eventually.
#retroarcade #eremeka #japan #arcade
earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2025/09/repl...
I do not have the Q&A from the live portion, but hope to go back and add that eventually.
#retroarcade #eremeka #japan #arcade
Cigarette vendors - not the sexiest coin-op machine, but a vital part of the industry after World War II.
When games, with jukeboxes, became primarily stationed in bars and taverns, amusement operators kept operating cigarette vending machines - largely splitting it from traditional vending.
When games, with jukeboxes, became primarily stationed in bars and taverns, amusement operators kept operating cigarette vending machines - largely splitting it from traditional vending.
September 3, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Cigarette vendors - not the sexiest coin-op machine, but a vital part of the industry after World War II.
When games, with jukeboxes, became primarily stationed in bars and taverns, amusement operators kept operating cigarette vending machines - largely splitting it from traditional vending.
When games, with jukeboxes, became primarily stationed in bars and taverns, amusement operators kept operating cigarette vending machines - largely splitting it from traditional vending.