MY 15 MINUTES OF FAME standing and talking to the WELL-KNOWN GAMING EXPERT Marvin Yogada pretty much started out with him talking cheerfully to a group of his guests at his Mechanical Museum located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. "It's all about the smiles" he remarks to me as he finishes his genteel conversation with a Family enjoying his amazing Arcade/Entertainment Center.

Marvin Yogada

Marvin was doing several things at once which included being nice enough to talk to me, supervising supplies being unloaded and handing napkins to a child who was eating Pizza at one of his tables! He is a master of conversation- a modern day Carnival Crier. He knows the ebb and flow of handling people. He spoke to the child's Father and Mother, asking about their jobs while doing all of his other activities. He is a really nice guy.

HOW DOES THE INTERNET & GAMING SYSTEMS IN TODAY'S WORLD AFFECT YOUR BRICK & MORTAR BUSINESS? Marvin mentioned "The Human Touch" is always going to be there. Kids aren't going to want to stay in their rooms all day. There is always going to be a need to go out "AND PLAY THE GAMES" He says you can play the driving games at home but not others.

His Brother, Sister and Wife all helped him start the business around 1990. "IT'S A HOBBY GONE WILD" he says.

The multitude of banners and Carnival fare

HOW IS DETROIT INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMUSEMENTS & ANIMATRONICS? Marvin bought a bunch of devices from the Caille Brothers Company. Apparently they were Detroit-based gaming Company when Marvin got the games. DetroitYES! has a blog article on the Company. We are planning to look more into the Animatronics and Gaming Industries in Detroit and Michigan in upcoming articles. According to DetroitYES! They made slot machines as early as 1897!

"The company was originally in Saginaw Michigan, and relocated to Detroit. In addition to my slot machine, the company built 223 machines dating back to 1897. They also built outboard boat motors, which they would later sell off to Sears and Roebuck. At it's peak, the company employed some 500 employees."

From DetroitYES!, July 29, 2011 "Caille Brothers Company"

Some of the interactive Machines that can scare you!

Mavin changes the machine around every so often just as the Grandmother we interviewed at Marvin's request! She says this a "Grandmothers Place". You can bring the older kids and the younger kids to have loads of fun. Our Grandmother has been coming to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum since the 1990's. She says its a piece of Detroit History. She says Marvin's gets new stuff in for the customers which is great.


Marvin has a truck and can cater to your entertainment needs.

WE'LL LIGHT UP WERE YOU ARE FROM BOARD. My interview with Marvin ends with me asking about the visitor's place of origin to his Museum. He says they come from all other. He points at a board with light on it. It is a map of places were visitors are from. He marks down with a light the place they come from. As the interview ends, Marvin is still managing his place; Asking employees about issues and so forth. I thank him an leave with joy in my heart as I know the wonders of Marvin's Museum will be there the next time I need to relax and throw a couple of quarters in a Pinball Machine, a racing game and other modern games or..... spooky Fortune-telling Machine. My future will be told.......