Question from Jae D.:
Hello Geek..
I was wondering if you could tell me more about the invention of the arcade claw game. I love those games even if I never win.
Thanks,
Jae D.
The original version of these machines was developed in 1896 from a child’s game. In this version, the player had to dig up candy and other prizes using a mechanical control to steer the tiny crane. Playing one game on the Erie Digger cost a penny.
The digger game hit full production in the 1920’s. The original Erie Digger then had to compete with other versions of the game including the Iron Claw, Miniature Steam Shovel, Electro Hoist and Miami Digger. The Miami Digger was built by William Bartlett and was known for its original design and superior play. It appears that Bartlett was the first to apply for a patent for this new type of arcade game. He received US Patent 1,882,563 on October 11, 1932 for a Coin Controlled Vending Machine.
The popularity of these games continued to grow both as toys and gambling machines in the 1930’s and 40’s. Then in 1951, the days of the digger games were ended with the passing of a new Federal anti-gambling laws. In 1974, with changes made to the gambling laws, new crane games from Europe began to appear in the United States. These games cost 25 cents a play and were much more high tech that the original diggers. Today even more advanced versions of the game can be found anywhere from the arcade to sporting arenas to the movie theater.