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Curated by: Philip Mershon (110 videos)
Before lottery tickets took over, there was the Punch Board. In the 1940s, you couldn't walk into a barber shop or a diner without seeing these colorful, enticing gambling devices. But how did a "nickel-a-punch" game become a federal crime linked to the underworld? In this episode of The Mid-Century Vault, Philip Mershon explores the rise and fall of the Punch Board. We’re traveling back to discover: How Chicago became the "Punch Board Capital of the World." The tactile thrill of the metal stylus and the tiny paper slip. The surprising connection between punch boards and Jack Ruby (before the JFK assassination). Why the Johnson Act of 1951 turned these countertop games into a "federal beef." From pin-up art to cash prizes to winning an electric skillet, we’re punching through the history of the "gray market" that lived on Main Street. Have you ever found a vintage punch board at an antique mall? Tell us your stories in the comments! #MidCentury #JackRuby #VintageHistory #PunchBoards #1940s #TheMidCenturyVault #Americana