Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the reason why pinball was not considered a legitimate game?
What was the reason why pinball was not considered a legitimate game?
Who sought to legitimize pinball by proving it involved more skill than luck?
Who sought to legitimize pinball by proving it involved more skill than luck?
What did Harry Mabs add to the pinball game in 1947?
What did Harry Mabs add to the pinball game in 1947?
How did the introduction of flippers change the landscape of pinball games and game development?
How did the introduction of flippers change the landscape of pinball games and game development?
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What did Gottlieb's "flipper games" become for pinball?
What did Gottlieb's "flipper games" become for pinball?
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Who discovered the best use for flippers and introduced the two-flipper design?
Who discovered the best use for flippers and introduced the two-flipper design?
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Why were Bingo machines outlawed in most states?
Why were Bingo machines outlawed in most states?
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What was enough proof that pinball was a game of skill for some legislators?
What was enough proof that pinball was a game of skill for some legislators?
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What are the two tiers of companies in the coin-operated amusement industry?
What are the two tiers of companies in the coin-operated amusement industry?
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What was the main source of income for amusement companies in the 1940s and 1950s?
What was the main source of income for amusement companies in the 1940s and 1950s?
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Study Notes
- Pinball was not considered a legitimate game due to its association with gambling.
- Gottlieb sought to legitimize pinball by proving it involved more skill than luck.
- In 1947, Gottlieb's engineer Harry Mabs added spring-powered levers called "flipper bumpers" to the game, which players used to propel the ball back into play.
- The introduction of flippers changed the landscape of pinball games and game development.
- Gottlieb's "flipper games" became the salvation of pinball, and other manufacturers imitated them.
- Steven Kordek, an engineer from Genco, discovered the best use for flippers and introduced the two-flipper design.
- Bally introduced Bingo machines, which were outlawed in most states due to their association with gambling.
- Flippers were enough proof that pinball was a game of skill for some legislators, and some states relaxed their laws governing pinball.
- The coin-operated amusement industry has two tiers of companies: manufacturers and local distributors/operators.
- Jukeboxes were the main source of income for amusement companies in the 1940s and 1950s.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the history of pinball with this quiz! Learn about how pinball went from being associated with gambling to a game of skill thanks to the introduction of flippers. Discover how Gottlieb's "flipper games" became the salvation of pinball and changed the game development landscape. See if you know about Bally's Bingo machines and the two tiers of companies in the coin-operated amusement industry. Play now to become a pinball history expert!
