Keeney and Sons

Keeney & Sons, often referred to in trade publications as J.H. Keeney & Company, was established in Chicago, Illinois, in the early 1930s by John H. Keeney. Although the firm initially produced various coin-operated devices, including slot machines and novelty amusements, it soon began manufacturing pinball machines in response to the growing popularity of this new form of entertainment. Operating alongside other Chicago-based industry pioneers, Keeney & Sons carved out a niche by focusing on electromechanical (EM) tables that featured detailed artwork and clever playfield mechanisms, contributing to the city’s reputation as a global hub of arcade innovation.

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Throughout the mid-twentieth century, the company released several notable EM pinball games, including “Electric Hunter” (1947), known for its distinctive graphics and relatively straightforward gameplay. While overshadowed by larger competitors such as Gottlieb and Bally, Keeney & Sons maintained a consistent presence through steadily evolving design approaches, integrating updated flipper assemblies and refined scoring systems to keep pace with changing market demands. Eventually, the firm faced mounting challenges with the industry’s transition to digital solid-state technology in the late 1970s, prompting Keeney & Sons to discontinue pinball production. By the early 1980s, they had fully exited the sector, leaving behind a catalog of machines now considered collectibles, emblematic of a formative era in American coin-operated entertainment.