Either way, the name was changed without too much trouble by removing the lower part of the 'R' from the casting making it a 'P'.

Originally called the 'Rol-A-Tor' no one seems to know for sure why it became the 'Rol-A-Top' the most likely reason for the change would be the original name made no sense to players were as 'Rol-A-Top' at least appeared to relate to the round escalator, another reason put forward is that the original name was simply a mistake. The machine was preceded by the 'Treasury' a very similar machine but lacking the round coin escalator which was to become the Rol-A-Top's outstanding feature. This highly ornate machine must have stolen the show in 1935. To their credit Watling, still being run by Tom Watling, took steps to fix the problem with a spectacular new design, The Rol-A-Top. By the mid-1930s this policy was clearly hurting their sales, in the first few years of this decade they released more new scale designs than slots for the first time and the new 'Gold award Vendor' and 'Jackpot' machines launched in 1933 had their prices slashed to $75 each a year after their launch in an attempt to increase sales. Through the '20s and early 30's their slots mirrored those of the other big makers in looks, where they differed from the others at this time was they chose not to keep changing their designs but, with minor changes, based all their machines on the Blue seal design. (For more on Watling scales visit our 'Penny weight scales' section) From the start they were into gambling machines similar to the early Callie and Mills spinning disc style of machines and there is no mention of them making their famous coin-operated weight scales until 1902. For a start, they enter the story very early on. Thomas Watling was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 24th august 1862 but must have soon moved to the USA for he was in a position to found the Watling Manufacturing Co in 1889 at the age of just 27. Watling's history in the slot business is a little different from most of the manufacturers. The Rye Heritage Ctr Collection of Working Models.See a Selection of the More Complex Machines at Work.Coin Operated Related Seaside Postcards.Replacement Artwork,logos,etc Available.

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