First national pinball competition

First national pinball competition
Who
Big Whiffle Tournament
What
first
Where
United States (Milwaukee)
When
The first national pinball championship was the "Big Whiffle Tournament" ­- whiffle being considered the first pinball machine ­- was held between 24 and 26 May 1935 in the Futuristic Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, and attracted hundreds of pinball players from all across the USA. It featured 200 whiffle pinball tables and promised $1,000 (£520) in prizes (including a "fine bedroom suite"). The event was conducted as a charity fundraiser for the Badger State Advancement Association of the Blind, and certain whiffles were adapted to allow blind teams to compete in the event!