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Poker machine, 'Jubilee'
Object No. 2008/72/1
Because the use of gaming machines was illegal until 1956, the early history of the Australian poker machine industry is shrouded in mystery. In 1941 a police census found hundreds of illegal gaming machines in use in Sydney clubs. The machines were tolerated to such an extent that at least four manufacturers were active in Sydney before 1956. The first of these seems to have been Charles Shelley Pty Ltd, which patented and made gaming machines during the 1940s. The PHM holds an example of Shelley's small 'Shelspeshel' machines from this decade. However the Shelley company was inactive by 1950, by which time Nutt & Muddle had established a substantial manufacturing presence. The short-lived Apex Amusement Company was also active by 1950 while the Ainsworth Dental Company (Aristocrat) began production about 1952. As well as its pioneering significance, the Nutt & Muddle company continued production until 1985, and was at the forefront of design and technology changes. 1950s gaming machines employed essentially the playing mechanism introduced by the Mills and Jennings companies about 1930. During the 1960s electro-mechanical machines appeared, the first major change in the functioning of poker machines since the 1930s. The Jubilee Mark 12 features four playing reels, rather than the three reels of mechanical machines 1900 to 1960; the extra reel substantially increased the potential playing and paying combinations. It also features an illuminated fascia and a motorised pay-out hopper. This innovation made the pay-out sound part of the machine's attraction. In other words, the machine is an example of the electro-mechanical genre which dominated the industry prior to the introduction of video machines during the 1980s. Charles Pickett, Curator
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Summary
Object Statement
Poker machine, electro-mechanical, 'Jubilee Mk.12', made by Nutt & Muddle & Sons Pty Ltd, Australia, 1970-1980
Physical Description
Poker machine, electro-mechanical, 'Jubilee Mk.12', made by Nutt & Muddle & Sons Pty Ltd, Australia, 1970-1980 A four-reel electro-mechanical poker machine. The front of the machine is constructed of chromed steel with acrylic inserts screen-printed with score cards and logos. The lower fascia has title 'NM $uper Four-Tune'. A steel pay-out tray is at lower front with 'Jubilee Mk 12' embossed. A coin receptacle for 20 cent coins is at upper right. A hinged 'Reserved' flap is attached. The case is constructed of particle board with a wood grain laminate. A black plastic sphere grip with chrome shaft is at the right-hand side of the case.
DIMENSIONS
Height
1000 mm
Width
510 mm
Depth
530 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Nutt & Muddle was the first major Australian manufacturer of gaming machines. In 1936 Roy Nutt, a salesman for Starkey's Soft Drinks and president of the Commercial Travellers Club, purchased about 50 pinball machines and leased them to milk bars and cafes. Nutt formed Nutt & Muddle with his friend Sid Muddle, who made an agreement with the Streets ice cream company to secure contracts with milk bars interested in Streets ice cream and Nutt & Muddle pinballs. In 1938 Mick Grace of Grace Bros offered Roy Nutt sixteen gaming machines which had been confiscated by police in New Caledonia. The machines were damaged but Muddle was able to repair them and lease them to a small number of clubs. During the war Nutt & Muddle acquired and leased further machines, including several which had been confiscated by the NSW police plus a large number of machines imported by the US Army. In 1946 Nutt & Muddle manufactured its first 'Jubilee' machine, a copy of the Mills Chrome Bell. By this time the NSW Police was tolerating an increasing number of machines in clubs, while in 1950 Reg Ansett opened the Hayman Island resort which featured a casino. Nutt & Muddle supplied and serviced the casino's poker machines. These first Jubilee machines were hand-made but by 1956, when poker machines were legalised in NSW clubs, Nutt & Muddle was the largest Australian manufacturer with a three-storey factory and casting foundry at Barcom Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. The company's Jubilee machines were also the first to embody local designs rather than those of imported machines. The 1950s Jubilee machines are handsome exercises in contemporary design. During the 1960s the US company Bally introduced the first electro-mechanical machines and promoted these aggressively in Australia. Competition in the industry was intense yet Jubilee and Aristocrat machines remained the most popular machines in Australian clubs. At this time Jubilee held about 45 per cent of the Australian market and was exporting machines to the UK. Roy Nutt and Sid Muddle died during the early 1960s. Their sons were active in the company and floated Nutt & Muddle in 1965. The British company Cope Allman purchased a majority stake but local manufacture and the Jubilee brand name continued. In 1980 Aristocrat's Len Ainsworth launched a hostile takeover of Nutt & Muddle; the bid's eventual success in 1985 gave Aristocrat almost 90 per cent of the Australian market. However Ainsworth was arrested by the NSW police and charged with dishonestly conspiring to gain a monopoly of the industry. Federal regulatory authorities also investigated the takeover, which resulted in decades of inconclusive legal battles. Regardless, the Jubilee name disappeared from clubs after 1985.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Ken Jones, 2008
Acquisition Date
7 April 2008
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