Acme El;ectric Shock Machine Penny Arcade Electric Shocker Advance Machine Co.

This is an original “Acme Shocker” penny arcade shock machine manufactured by the Advance Machine Company in Chicago around the 1930’s - 40’s. The machine has been completely restored to its original 1930’s condition. The machine works well, has a new 1930’s reproduction battery, and looks great.

This coin-op machine challenges your ability to withstand a shock. These arcade machines were popular in the early 1900’s at a time in history when people were awed by the possible uses of electricity. The idea here is to insert a penny and turn the crank. That starts a timer working, the player then turns the handle and gets an increasingly stronger electrical shock the more it’s turned. It works very well; it’s difficult to get the pointer on the gauge past the halfway point before letting go.

The marquee sign at the top is a home-made replacement but otherwise the machine is all original. The case is solid all-steel; overall size is 10” X 9” X 7. The lock on the door is original and comes with a key and works well.

The Battery

The reproduction Eveready Columbia battery pictured is included. These machines originally used No.6 size 1.5 v batteries that are hard to find today. The battery that comes with this machine was made to look identical to a 1930’s vintage battery but it actually has 4 standard and replaceable “C” size flashlight batteries housed inside the shell.

An impressive old time arcade machine in excellent condition.