Electric Football (1948)

Most of you will recognize this old classic. It has been re-released several times since its 48' inception. Most of the re-releases revolved around alternate years Super Bowls with the players present from the respective teams ending up in that years game box. This game gave you all the players needed for a full football team on offense and defense and movement bases that allowed particular players to hopefully run particular routes. There was also the triple threat QB. He could pass, punt and kick your field goals. Earlier versions just included a little clicker type device to flip around the ball. Little felt football were included. Game field vibrated with an electric buzzer to set the players in motion. Set up your formations then turn the switch on and off accordingly, adjusting your players as the rules allowed. So what if the game is absolutely impossible to play? The components were enough to keep us all entertained and constantly wanting to pull it out.

A bit of history:

Created by Normal Tutor at Tutor Metal Products, in the 1940s, Electric Football was an immediate hit in the days before television and electronics. Basically, the game is a piece of sheet metal painted to look like a football field. A small motor vibrates the "field", causing two teams of metal (now plastic) figures to "run" around the field (usually aimlessly) until the figurine with the ball is "tackled" (touched) by a player from the other team.

The success of this game was so great when it was introduced that it spawned a major competitor, Gotham Games. This competition pushed innovation and led to improvements in game play and realism.

In the late 1950's the first plastic men were introduced to the game, including a running back that would "carry" the ball in his arms. Not to be outdone, in the 1960's Gotham version became an NFL licensee. In their new models they included a metal "grandstand" that almost surrounded the field, for real football ambiance.

Now a licensee, in 1966 tudor introduced figures that could be painted to match any football team's colors. Lee Payne, a faculty member at Georgia Tech in industrial design, is credited with this huge breakthrough, as well as the field markings and three dimensional goal posts.

After the Packers beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl I, Tudor unveiled its new line of NFL games and pre-painted NFL players.

After enjoying great success through the 70's, which correlated with the exploding interest of the NFL, electric football struggled to remain relevent with the advent of electronic gaming in the 1980's and 90's.

Now owned by Miggle Toys, Electric Football is still available for purchase and enjoys a strong following amongst players of all ages and skill levels.

Description of the gameplay:
In this game each player has a team of miniatures that can be set into football formations of the players choosing. Sometimes, depending on the set, the minis will have a little "tail" or "rudder" of sorts that allows for the figures to run in particular directions, or "routs". After each player has set his team at the line of scrimmage the motor is turned on and all heck breaks loose.

The motor vibrating loudly, miniature football players spring to life. Their bases vibrated by the motor, they start to inch across the painted sheet metal field, "running the play".

The beauty moment of the game is when all those little vibrating men actually perform close to want you want them to do. Your offensive line pushes forward, blocking his defensive linemen. Your full back nails his linebacker, springing the ball carrier to scoot between two tackles, finding daylight and rushing for the goal line. This glorious result, however, is not typical.....

Usually, the activation of the machine results in most of the players forming a giant quivering mass of plastic in the center of the field with one or two men spinning uncontrollably or sprinting to the wall surrounding the field. It is not uncommon for the ball carrier, in fact, to run the wrong way, heading for his own end zone.

Regardless of the unpredictable nature of the game, it is very fun and much sports-related trash talking and cheering usually ensues.

The game includes down markers, footballs, field goal posts, different position players, and a variety of other miniature components that add to the fun and realism. Some sets even come with stadium stands complete with actual stadium lighting.

There is a thriving hobby community that runs tournaments and publishes newsletters. People paint their own minis or you can buy virtually any team, pre-painted, for your own use. You can even purchase miniature cameramen, cheerleaders, referees, and coaches to add to the experience.