Automatic Age

AUTOMATIC AGE
12
By
H u b e rt
F.
M r. Manufacturer
Opportunity Is Knocking—
Open the Door!
'any territories are closed the country over to
the operation of not only automatic payout
machines, but novelty tables as well. Numerous
theories have been advanced as to the causes of
this situation. There are those people that blame
automatic payout tables. Others say it is the
fault of unwise operators who place machines
near churches, schools, etc. Still, others say the
real reason for the shutdowns is due to the poli­
ticians needing something to pick on in order to
obtain favorable publicity in the local press.
Countless other theories have also been volun­
teered. • Which of these theories or combination
of ideas are correct we do not know. However,
we do know that the shutdown situation does
exist and with it an opportunity is presented to
live manufacturers to bring out a machine that
will fill a definite need for the amusement ma­
chine operator in the closed areas.
Operators in these territories are hesitant
about investing large sums of money on a ma­
chine not knowing if they will be able to obtain
their money back before they will be forced to
cease operations. Consequently, they are buying
very few, if any, games. The manufacturers are
losing out because a large portion of their poten­
tial buyer’s market is closed to them.
What these operators would be in the market
for is an inexpensive amusement machine that
could be placed on counters. These machines
should operate with a penny and should be small
enough so as not to be conspicuous. They should
sell anywhere from $10.00 to $17.50 at the very
most. We can well remember the tremendous
fortunes that were made by manufacturers
building this type of equipment. These machines
were the parents of the pin tables that later be­
came so popular. It was very seldom that op­
erators had any legal difficulty in their operations
when these small inobscure games were placed
on location.
© International Arcade Museum
November, 1937
M esse
It is a wise manufacturer that considers his
market and makes products that fill a need in
this market. Today, we have a very strong need
for the type of machine as suggested in these
columns. With the knowledge that the engineers
in our industry now possess, they should be able
to design an improved, elaborate type of penny
counter amusement machine. The penny counter
amusement machine is an ideal machine to use
as an opening wedge in closed territories. More­
over, operators who would have drifted out of
our ranks because of their inability to keep other
machines on location will be able to make a living
with these smaller devices. These same operators
will be prospective customers for larger equip­
ment when their territory finally opens up.
Mr. Manufacturer— Think this over carefully
and you will probably decide that it will be pro­
fitable to announce a machine as suggested.
The 1938 Coin Machine Convention
Manager Joe Huber and the NACOMM com-
mitteee have decided to follow through on the
plan inaugurated last year and again hold a coin
machine exposition for coin machine men only.
Admission to the 1938 coin machine show will
be by special registration only, details of which
can be found in this issue. Attendance of coin
machine men at the show should be double that
of other years for this reason alone. Again this
year operators will be able to examine and com­
pare new machines without being forced to wait
in line until curiosity seekers get through en­
joying themselves. The congestion and crowds
of other years often prevented the real buyers
from seeing new models. As a matter of fact,
until last year, many customers of long standing
could not even enjoy the generous hospitality of
manufacturers, being crowded out of the picture
by Randolph street “sports” and their pals.
Make your plans now to attend this biggest
and best of coin machine shows. The trouble that
(Continued on page 25)
http://www.arcade-museum.com/