Specifications
Year of Manufacture
1934
Manufacturer
Daval
Designer
Ralph Fletcher
Dimensions
Height: 107 cm
Width: 42 cm
Depth: 92 cm
More info (external)
“Queen of them all”
American Beauty ad
Billboard Magazine
The story of the American Beauty pinball
Ever wondered how the very first pinball machines kept score? Where that unforgiving TILT came from? Or how the earliest ball lock worked?
Our stunning Art Deco American Beauty pinball machine (Daval, 1934) has the answers. And plenty more.
1930s: where pinball began
The year is 1934. Just two and a half years after Gottlieb’s breakthrough hit Baffle Ball, the pinball market is booming. Dozens of new manufacturers are eager to cash in on the craze. Most simply copy each other.
But Daval, a young company from Chicago, takes a different approach.
American Beauty, the "OG"
For brothers Dave & Al and their brand-new (in 1934) venture Daval, innovation is key. Their very first game, American Beauty, makes that clear from the start.
A clock-shaped score counter. An automatic ball counter. An upkicker. A tilt that stops the game cold. These aren’t just clever tricks. They are the very first versions of mechanisms still found in pinball machines today.
You’ll never look at American Beauty the same once you realize modern pinball wouldn’t exist without these ideas.
And the hardware behind this mechanical wizardry? Believe it or not: many parts come straight from mass-produced doorbells. That’s ingenuity at its best.
The Ancient Arcade Roadshow
American Beauty is part of our Ancient Arcade Roadshow: a compact, playable exhibition about the origins of arcade, pinball, and gaming. Long before screens took over.
Want to give your guests something they’ve never seen before? The Ancient Arcade Roadshow is the perfect highlight for a high-end party or event. You bring the venue; we bring the machines and the stories.
An audiovisual, interactive experience that’s one-of-a-kind worldwide.
Want to see more? Check out our full lineup!
Start your pinball adventure here.
Curious to know what we can do for your location? Feel free to reach out.
Who knows, you might soon be setting that high score on one of our games!
