Punchboards originated in the 18th century. 

A bar owner would construct a game board out of wood, 

drill small holes in it and fill each hole with a numbered, paper ticket. 

The holes were then covered with paper. 

A patron would buy one of the "holes," 

then, puncture the paper to reveal a 

possible winning number for a prize.

Gambling author John Scarne estimated 30 million punchboards were between 1910 to 1915 and 50 million punchboards were sold in 1939 alone, during the peak of their popularity.

"Older punch boards indicated the prizes would be money," Crandall said.

 "Then, in the 1940s, it was cigarettes and pinup girl pictures."

With the advent of other games of chance after World War II, use of the punchboard not only declined but was outlawed in many states.