A strength tester machine is a type of amusement personality tester machine, which upon receiving credit rates the subject's strength, according to how strongly the person presses levers, squeezes a grip or punches a punching bag. In the past, strength testers could mainly be found in penny arcades and amusement parks, but they are now also common in pub-style locations as well as video arcades, bowling alleys, family entertainment centers and disco venues. Modern strength testing machines have become redemption games and use LCDs for a video feedback,[1] while some such as Sega's K.O. Punch (1981) use a video game display for feedback.[2]
In media
edit- American Restoration features a restoration of a Punch-A-Bag strength tester machine from 1910 in the 6th episode "Knockout" and of a strength tester that had stood on the Santa Monica Pier in the 17th episode "Grippin' Mad".
- American Pickers features a 1920s Advance Machine Company electric shock strength tester in the 22nd episode "Laurel and Hardy".
Special forms
editElectric shock strength testers evaluate how long someone can stand unperilous electric shocks. However, most machines in amusement parks today only utilize vibrations that feels somewhat like an electric shock to someone not expecting it.[3]
Personality strength testers are a type of amusement personality tester machines that try to rate the strength of the subject's character. Such machines are for amusement purposes only and do not actually give a real result.[4]
Gallery
editThe Musée Mécanique in San Francisco has a collection of over 300 mechanical games, including strength testers:
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A personality strength tester at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
See also
edit- High striker, a strength tester utilizing a lever and a puck specifically
- Love tester machine
- Fortune teller machine
Notes
edit- ^ "Strength Tester, Punchballs - Amusement Machines, Games - Companies - Theme Parks". yourguides.net. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "K.O. Punch - Videogame by Sega".
- ^ a b "Addams Family Generator - Arcade by H. Betti Industries, Inc".
- ^ Ricardo, David (August 18, 2012). "Love Meter Impulse Vending Machine • Perfect Vending". perfectvending.net. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
External links
edit- Mercury Athletic Scales Strength Tester coin-operated arcade machine game
- 1969 Midway Golden Arm strength tester coin-operated arcade game
- Ingo Strength Tester United Distributing coin-operated arcade game