Inventor Tim Hunkin traces arcade history from Victorian viewers to pinball

At the recent Electromagnetic Field festival in the UK, engineer and arcade machine creator Tim Hunkin gave a talk on the evolution of gaming devices. He is known for years of work on mechanisms that delight visitors to his own arcades.

Hunkin runs two venues with machines of his own design, so the history of such devices is not just theory for him. In his presentation, he traced how early mechanical contraptions influenced his projects, from the first automata to the pinball machine that adorns his London venue, Novelty Automation.

The lecture covers Victorian film viewers with risqué scenes, one-armed bandits, and pinball tables. Hunkin also revealed the secret behind one of the most British machines, the penny falls, where coins drop from a moving platform. The audience was particularly intrigued by rare electromechanical game cabinets using the Pepper's Ghost effect.

A few years ago, the publication visited Novelty Automation and ran a profile of its creator. Those interested in Hunkin's work should check out his venues in London or Southwold. The full talk is available below.