C.O.C.A. Times

the same on the outside as their SEAM brothers.
Of all the thousands of different coin-op
machines produced over the years, only a very
small percentage, perhaps only 2% or 400 pieces,
were SEAMs. Several possibilities might explain
the low numbers: Clockworks could not supply
enough power and were more expensive than sim-
pler, direct-linkage mechanisms. They were diffi-
cult to design - the average inventor did not have
the skills to incorporate a clockwork motor in his
creation - and, last but not least, most early
American inventors were entrepreneurs who saw a
market opportunity that did not require sophisticat-
ed products.
In Europe, around 1900, it was exactly the oppo-
site. The opportunities for individuals to invent,
manufacture, and start a business were very restric-
tive. It fell to the old time manufacturers, those with
lots of history in making toys, musical instruments,
and household goods, to take advantage of the coin-
op boom in their neck of the woods, albeit a small-
er one than in the U.S. Dealers offered hundreds of
different coin-ops, many of them SEAMs. And for
a small extra charge, a wide variety of clockwork
toys, automata, and music boxes could be ordered
with a coin slot attachments. Those that were
ordered for penny or nickel operation (and with
English instructions) were shipped to the U.S ., as in
the case of the Cootchie Cootchie and Stollwerck
machines.
From its beginnings, the coin-op machine ener-
gized the American economy, coin by coin. Selling
amusements, products, or the hope of a jackpot,
these movable feasts propelled us into a new era of
convenience and personal entertainment. The
unique category of antique "Stored Energy
Automatic Machines," engineered by incredible
resourceful and talented inventors over a century
years ago, established the "modem" experience of
instant, effortless gratification. Yes, blame them!
The men who produced them brought us the epito-
me of mechanical sophistication. Their reputation
still stands ....
The picture gallery of antique SEAMs comes from many collections. According to Dick
Bueschel, the likely rate of survival of tum-of-the-century machines is around 1 %. Because
of the delicate nature of SEAMs, however, it is possible that they had a worse rate of fate. I
have included rarity information for those collectors who might like to seek out particular
pieces. Rarity is given based on current collectors' best estimates. Several great machines are
still available today because of the large number of them produced: Zenos, Pulvers, Automatic
Clerks, and Cail-O-Scopes. These are exceptional additions to any collection.
Many thanks to a great bunch of guys for their helpful contributions to this article: Tim
LaGanke, Bob Legan, Mike Gorski, Rob Raznick, Mike & Sandy Revel, Bernie Gold, Bob
Pellegrini, Mike Rechter, David Copperfield, Ed Mazolla, Alex Warschaw, John Johnston,
Du Wayne Bakke, Mel Getlan, Les Cohen, Roger Kislingbury, and Bob Linz. A special thank
you to Tom Gustwiller for his generous contribution of photos and willingness to share infor-
mation with us on gambling machines.
Here is my listing of known SEAMs. Not all brand models are included. Foreign-made
machines are not included unless they were specifically produced for the U.S. market using
American coins. Machines marked with a * are not pictured in this article. Readers are wel-
comed to contribute photos, information, and corrections for inclusion in a follow-up article.
There are sure to be more of these special machines out there in the "woodwork." May you
be the next collector to find a great one!
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