Museum of Science and Industry

The Swiss Jolly Ball is an exhibition of a classic pinball machine. Also known as a “flipper,” this exhibit is one of the little known gems of the Museum. Standing at more than 7 ft. high, 15 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep, the Guinness Book of World records named this the largest flipper machine in the world (1988).

Within the exhibit you can watch as a silver ball is propelled through various tunnels, tracks and slides that represent the scenery in Switzerland. Heads pace back and forth as the ball shoots through the maze of metal setting off bells and whistles. The layout consists of a Swiss Bank, ski lift and Swiss hotel. The exhibit was originally created by Charles Morgan, an Englishman who was living in Switzerland. It came to the Museum in 1998 in conjunction with the re-opening of the lower court. The intricate display is one of only two Swiss Jolly Ball exhibits in the world.