Original Mills Arcade Game Electricity Stimulator Circa 1920’s “Electricity Cures ALL ILLs”. Display as Sculpture

”ELECTRICITY IS LIFE” SHOCK MACHINE. Genuine Shock Machine arcade game trade stimulator made by the Mills Novelty Company, Chicago Illinois, Circa 1920’s. Display this original antique as sculpture.

The machine is authentic and a fine example of an original arcade shock machine. What is great about this particular machine is that all of the stenciling on the front of the cabinet, the gold lion’s head coin slot, the original worn red paint and the top signage is all original.

The original arcade owner installed an AC plug on the machine front so it could be powered with AC voltage and eliminate the battery. A common and vintage modification that was done by some arcades.

Most machines have been repainted with loss of original stenciling and missing the marquee on top. This machine has the original top sign which reads “Electricity Cures Many Ills” with labels “It’s Great Try It” and “Take A Shock”.

To originally operate the shocker, simply deposit a penny coin in the lion’s head slot. Grasp and hold the left handle with one hand and gradually increase the electricity supply using the right handle which operates the perfectly working gauge. Turn the right handle slowly. It has the original lock that came with machine.

Sold as a display piece and not as a working antique, due to the age of the non restored internal electricals.

Mills Novelty shockers were very popular during the 1920’s, and there was belief that electricity even had therapeutic medical effects (hence the “Electricity is Life” marketing).

Per the Catalog of Mills Money Makers about the Mills Shock Machine: “It sells a ‘shot’ of electricity for a penny. It operates with an ordinary dry battery which comes with the machine…A great fun maker.”

Included is our signed and sealed Certificate of Authenticity.