Gottlieb Pinball History & Evolution
from 1947 to 1979.
08/01/12, cfh@provide.net
If you have any of these Gottlieb games for sale, please email me at cfh@provide.net. I will buy just about any Gottlieb (or Williams) pinball (though my favorites are really the 1950s "woodrail" pinballs). But in particular I am really looking for Cyclone (4/51), Watch My Line (7/51), Skill Pool (8/52), Grand Slam (4/53), Twin Bill (1/55), Harbor Lites (2/56), Roto Pool (7/58). And from the 1970s looking for Joker Poker EM (1978), Space Walk (1979).
Why The Interest in Gottlieb Woodrails?
"Woodrails" are machines generally made before 1961, and have wood siderails that hold the top glass in place. Starting around 1960, all companies converted to using stainless steel siderails ("metal rails") for pingames. Woodrails are very unique and classic looking. They have a less industrial look, and are just more handsome than their metal rail counterparts.
Woodrail Play Appeal.
The thing that is very unique about most Gottlieb woodrails is the playing strategy used to score "Replays" (a Replay is when the player wins a free game). On most Gottlieb woodrails, there were multiple strategies to winning replays. That is, you could win a replay (or *multiple* replays) by accomplishing particular feats (in addition to passing a set score). This is unlike pinball games today, which give replays based just on high score. Yes 1960s "metal rail" pinballs also usually had some feat that gave a Replay. But this was a single replay and a single feat strategy. Where most pre-1958 Gottlieb woodrails had multiple strategies or ways to win Replays. Many Gottlieb woodrails had as many as six different strategies (ways) to winning replays (in addition to passing a high score value). This makes Gottlieb woodrail games very unique. Also some pre-1958 Gottlieb single player woodrails allowed the player to win from up to 26 Replays in a single game, or for just accomplishing a single feat!
Gottlieb Artwork until 1965.
The sole artist for Gottlieb until 1965 was Roy Parker. There isn't a lot known about Parker, but what is know is this: He worked for an two different art houses that handled all the silkscreening of the playfields and backglasses for all the pinball companies during the 1950s and 1960s. These two companies were Advertising Posters (aka Ad Posters), and Reproduction Graphics. RG burned down *twice* (and after the second time, they did not rebuild), so Roy worked for Reproduction Graphics when they were open, and Ad Posters when RG closed. Roy did not work for Gottlieb. But David Gottlieb requested all artwork to be done by Roy Parker, so Ad Posters and RG had Roy Parker do all the artwork for Gottlieb, as David Gottlieb requested.
Roy Parker's artwork is famous because of his attention to small details. Another artist that worked for Ad Posters and RG was George Molentin. George did the artwork for most Williams, CCM, and Bally games during the 1950s. To me, the difference in these two artists is night and day. Parker's artwork is very detailed. The women's hair, their clothing, the backgrounds, all very detailed and finely draw. Molentin's artwork is much less detailed, almost like he rushed the work (which he might have, because he worked for basically all the other game companies).
Woodrail Evolution.
In my eye, the most collectible Gottlieb woodrail era is 1950 to 1955. (That's why I have the evolution listed below, so changes can be seen.) Many changes where to make the games cheaper to produce. Like the change from wood legs to metal legs in 1956, and the change from wood top and bottom arches to metal, and the change from four color to three color cabinet art in 1957 (though some earlier games did use three colors, it became consistent in 1957). Also after 1955, the play changed as less Replays were awarded for acheiving game goals (some 1959-1960 single players games like Ms.Annabelle only award replays based on score). And the artwork is generally less defined in the later years.
Wedgeheads (1960s/1970s Single Player Gottlieb Pinballs.)
As time progressed and single player woodrails evolved, they turned into "wedgeheads" in 1960. The nickname applies because the backbox cabinet is in the shape of a slight wedge. This cabinet design was kept until the last single player EM was made in 1979. These games are amoung the best playing of the Gottlieb single players. Generally the artwork wasn't nearly as good as the 1950s woodrails, but the evolved game play made up for this. (Though not every wedgehead is a "great" game, most titles are pretty darn fun to play.) When the 1970s came along with drop targets, 3" flippers, and "wow" add-a-balls, wedgeheads had really progressed with some great rules and gameplay. (See next section.)
Why Single Player Games?
The reason single player games are more desirable than multi-player games is simple: game play. Single player games have deeper rulesets, and award more Replays for acheiving game goals. Multi-players games *must* have less rules because there is no memory in these EM games. That is, the game can't remember how far along in the ruleset a player has gotten from ball to ball. Hence multi-player games have a goal that must be achieved in a single ball (the rules are less sophisticated.) And multi-player games usually only award Replays based on score (not on game goals), so there aren't multiple strategies to winning replays (until the 1970s). Finally multi-player games are bigger, uglier, heavier, and more time consuming and difficult to work on.
Are there any "good" Multi-player games?
Yes there are, mostly in the 1970s. Starting about 1971, Gottlieb made heavy use of the modern style drop target and 3" flippers on their pinballs. So many of their single and multi-player games during the 1970s have drop targets. This gives the player a lot to shoot for, and makes those games pretty darn fun. Though I still prefer single player 1970s gottlieb pinballs to multi-players, a lot of the multi-player games have great game-play too. The best thing about 1970s Gottlieb multi-player games is the "bang for the buck". That is, they are inexpensive to buy, yet provide a lot of fun to play. The downside is they are bigger and more complicated to repair than single player wedgeheads, and the rulesets are shallower.
What About 1970s Drop Target, 3" Flipper, Gottlieb Pinballs?
Aww a soft-spot in my heart! The Gottlieb EM pinballs from 1971 to 1979 with drop targets and 3" flippers are amoung some of their best games (especially the single player versions). Frankly they didn't make a lot of titles during this era (just 8 years worth), compared to 1947 to 1970 where they made lots of 2" flipper games. With that in mind, 70% of all Gottlieb production was of 2" flipper games (compared to the 1971-1979 three inch flipper titles). Luckily production numbers are higher during the 1970s, but the number of titles with drop targets and 3" flippers are limited. And these games are quite fun. The 1970s evolved the EM technology to its limit, with advanced features and ideas.
Parker women versus Molentin women.
The art on the left is typical Roy Parker style artwork. Notice
the detail in the dress and skin of the women, and the surrounding
background detail. The art on the right is Molentin. The women is
far less detailed, and not nearly as sexy as the Parker babe. Also
the background is less detailed. Left art from Gottlieb's 1952 Happy Days.
Right art from William's 1953 Nine Sisters.
What Games are Here?
This list of Gottlieb EM (Electro-Mechanical) pinball games made from 1947 to 1979. Much of this information is based on my experience, and info from other collectors (Richard Lawnhurst). Sales flyers were also used (but sometimes sales flyer info is not accurate). Many pictures taken by Richard Lawnhurst, Russ Jensen and myself. If you have any additions or corrections, please email me.
Looking for information on fixing/restoring a Gottlieb game from this era? See my web page at pinrepair.com/em and pinrepair.com/top for help with repair, and pinrepair.com/restore for help with restoration. As for repair, chances are nearly 100% nobody is going to fix or restore one of these games for you. The time involved is too great, and if you could find someone, for the most part the money spent would be more than the game is worth. So the only alternative is to fix the game yourself, and the above documents should help with that.
How to find a game easily in this list:
This list is organized chronologically. So to easily find a particular game, use the CTRL-F function of your browser to find a game. All games with mechanical animation in the backbox have a * next to the game name.
Start of Flipper Games with 6 reverse flippers, very similar playfield layouts. At least the first three games (and maybe more) in this series were originally sold with 1 1/8" balls (but for restoration purposes, these games should use 1 1/16" balls). These games use a "time clock" which looks like a bell mounted under the playfield. But it turns off the game after about 10 minutes from the start of a game. Otherwise there is still power to the flippers/bumpers after playing the last ball.
Humpty Dumpty, 10/47, 6500 produced, 2 kick-out holes, was the first pinball ever made with flippers; this game had six.
Lady Robin Hood, 1/48, 6000 produced, 1 kick-out hole.
Cinderella, 3/48, 4000 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Jack N Jill, 4/48, 2000 produced, 3 kick-out holes at bottom of playfield.
Olde King Cole, 5/48, 1500 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Ali-Baba, 6/48, 1700 produced.
Alice in Wonderland, 8/48, 1000 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Miss Cue T, 1948, just a few produced, six flippers.
End of 6 reverse flippers, very similar playfield layouts.
Start of Flipper Games with 4 reverse flippers. These games MAY have come with 1 1/8" balls (but for restoration purposes, these games should use 1 1/16" balls).
Barnacle Bill, 8/48, 2500 produced,
พินบอล Gottlieb ประวัติและวิวัฒนาการ จาก 1947 ถึง 197908/01/12, cfh@provide.netถ้าคุณมีเกมเหล่านี้ Gottlieb ขาย กรุณาส่งที่ cfh@provide.net ฉันจะซื้อใด ๆ เพียงเกี่ยวกับพินบอล Gottlieb (หรือวิลเลียมส์) (แม้ว่ารายการโปรดของฉันจริง ๆ pinballs "woodrail" มินิ) แต่เฉพาะ จริง ๆ หาพายุ (4/51), บรรทัดของฉันดู (7/51), ทักษะสระ (8/52), แกรนด์สแลม (4/53), รายการคู่ (1/55), ท่า Lites (2/56), Roto สระ (7/58) จากสาว ๆ มองหาโจ๊กเกอร์โป๊กเกอร์ EM (1978), พื้นที่เดิน (1979)ทำไมสนใจใน Gottlieb Woodrails"Woodrails" คือ เครื่องจักรทั่วไปทำก่อน 1961 และ siderails ไม้ที่กระจกด้านใน เริ่มต้นประมาณ 1960 บริษัททั้งหมดแปลงเป็นใช้เหล็กกล้าไร้สนิม siderails ("โลหะราง") pingames Woodrails มีความเป็นเอกลักษณ์ และคลาสสิกมอง พวกเขามีน้อยกว่าอุตสาหกรรมลักษณะ และมีเพียงมากหล่อกว่าคู่ของพวกเขารถไฟโลหะWoodrail เล่นอุทธรณ์สิ่งที่ไม่ซ้ำกันมากเกี่ยวกับ woodrails Gottlieb มากที่สุดคือ กลยุทธ์การเล่นที่ใช้คะแนน "Replays" (Replay ได้เมื่อเล่นชนะเกมฟรี) บนสุด Gottlieb woodrails มีหลายกลยุทธ์เพื่อชนะ replays นั่นคือ คุณสามารถชนะการเล่นซ้ำ (หรือ * หลาย * replays) โดยทำเฉพาะ feats (นอกจากช่วยตั้งค่าคะแนน) นี้ไม่เหมือนเกมพินบอลวันนี้ ซึ่งทำให้คะแนนสูงเพียงใน replays ตาม ใช่ pinballs "โลหะรถไฟ" 1960s ยังมีบางเพลงที่ให้เล่นซ้ำการ แต่นี้เป็น replay เดียวและกลยุทธ์เดียว feat ซึ่งส่วนใหญ่ก่อน-1958 Gottlieb woodrails มีหลายกลยุทธ์หรือวิธีการที่จะชนะ Replays Woodrails Gottlieb หลายมีกลยุทธ์แตกต่างกันเช่น 6 (วิธี) ชนะ replays (นอกจากช่วยมากคะแนนค่า) นี้ทำให้ Gottlieb woodrail เกมไม่ซ้ำกันมากขึ้น ยัง บางก่อน-1958 Gottlieb คนเดียว woodrails อนุญาตให้เล่นลุ้นจาก Replays ถึง 26 เกมเดียว หรือวิธีเพียงเพลงเดียวงานศิลปะ Gottlieb จนถึง 1965The sole artist for Gottlieb until 1965 was Roy Parker. There isn't a lot known about Parker, but what is know is this: He worked for an two different art houses that handled all the silkscreening of the playfields and backglasses for all the pinball companies during the 1950s and 1960s. These two companies were Advertising Posters (aka Ad Posters), and Reproduction Graphics. RG burned down *twice* (and after the second time, they did not rebuild), so Roy worked for Reproduction Graphics when they were open, and Ad Posters when RG closed. Roy did not work for Gottlieb. But David Gottlieb requested all artwork to be done by Roy Parker, so Ad Posters and RG had Roy Parker do all the artwork for Gottlieb, as David Gottlieb requested.Roy Parker's artwork is famous because of his attention to small details. Another artist that worked for Ad Posters and RG was George Molentin. George did the artwork for most Williams, CCM, and Bally games during the 1950s. To me, the difference in these two artists is night and day. Parker's artwork is very detailed. The women's hair, their clothing, the backgrounds, all very detailed and finely draw. Molentin's artwork is much less detailed, almost like he rushed the work (which he might have, because he worked for basically all the other game companies).Woodrail Evolution.In my eye, the most collectible Gottlieb woodrail era is 1950 to 1955. (That's why I have the evolution listed below, so changes can be seen.) Many changes where to make the games cheaper to produce. Like the change from wood legs to metal legs in 1956, and the change from wood top and bottom arches to metal, and the change from four color to three color cabinet art in 1957 (though some earlier games did use three colors, it became consistent in 1957). Also after 1955, the play changed as less Replays were awarded for acheiving game goals (some 1959-1960 single players games like Ms.Annabelle only award replays based on score). And the artwork is generally less defined in the later years.
Wedgeheads (1960s/1970s Single Player Gottlieb Pinballs.)
As time progressed and single player woodrails evolved, they turned into "wedgeheads" in 1960. The nickname applies because the backbox cabinet is in the shape of a slight wedge. This cabinet design was kept until the last single player EM was made in 1979. These games are amoung the best playing of the Gottlieb single players. Generally the artwork wasn't nearly as good as the 1950s woodrails, but the evolved game play made up for this. (Though not every wedgehead is a "great" game, most titles are pretty darn fun to play.) When the 1970s came along with drop targets, 3" flippers, and "wow" add-a-balls, wedgeheads had really progressed with some great rules and gameplay. (See next section.)
Why Single Player Games?
The reason single player games are more desirable than multi-player games is simple: game play. Single player games have deeper rulesets, and award more Replays for acheiving game goals. Multi-players games *must* have less rules because there is no memory in these EM games. That is, the game can't remember how far along in the ruleset a player has gotten from ball to ball. Hence multi-player games have a goal that must be achieved in a single ball (the rules are less sophisticated.) And multi-player games usually only award Replays based on score (not on game goals), so there aren't multiple strategies to winning replays (until the 1970s). Finally multi-player games are bigger, uglier, heavier, and more time consuming and difficult to work on.
Are there any "good" Multi-player games?
Yes there are, mostly in the 1970s. Starting about 1971, Gottlieb made heavy use of the modern style drop target and 3" flippers on their pinballs. So many of their single and multi-player games during the 1970s have drop targets. This gives the player a lot to shoot for, and makes those games pretty darn fun. Though I still prefer single player 1970s gottlieb pinballs to multi-players, a lot of the multi-player games have great game-play too. The best thing about 1970s Gottlieb multi-player games is the "bang for the buck". That is, they are inexpensive to buy, yet provide a lot of fun to play. The downside is they are bigger and more complicated to repair than single player wedgeheads, and the rulesets are shallower.
What About 1970s Drop Target, 3" Flipper, Gottlieb Pinballs?
Aww a soft-spot in my heart! The Gottlieb EM pinballs from 1971 to 1979 with drop targets and 3" flippers are amoung some of their best games (especially the single player versions). Frankly they didn't make a lot of titles during this era (just 8 years worth), compared to 1947 to 1970 where they made lots of 2" flipper games. With that in mind, 70% of all Gottlieb production was of 2" flipper games (compared to the 1971-1979 three inch flipper titles). Luckily production numbers are higher during the 1970s, but the number of titles with drop targets and 3" flippers are limited. And these games are quite fun. The 1970s evolved the EM technology to its limit, with advanced features and ideas.
Parker women versus Molentin women.
The art on the left is typical Roy Parker style artwork. Notice
the detail in the dress and skin of the women, and the surrounding
background detail. The art on the right is Molentin. The women is
far less detailed, and not nearly as sexy as the Parker babe. Also
the background is less detailed. Left art from Gottlieb's 1952 Happy Days.
Right art from William's 1953 Nine Sisters.
What Games are Here?
This list of Gottlieb EM (Electro-Mechanical) pinball games made from 1947 to 1979. Much of this information is based on my experience, and info from other collectors (Richard Lawnhurst). Sales flyers were also used (but sometimes sales flyer info is not accurate). Many pictures taken by Richard Lawnhurst, Russ Jensen and myself. If you have any additions or corrections, please email me.
Looking for information on fixing/restoring a Gottlieb game from this era? See my web page at pinrepair.com/em and pinrepair.com/top for help with repair, and pinrepair.com/restore for help with restoration. As for repair, chances are nearly 100% nobody is going to fix or restore one of these games for you. The time involved is too great, and if you could find someone, for the most part the money spent would be more than the game is worth. So the only alternative is to fix the game yourself, and the above documents should help with that.
How to find a game easily in this list:
This list is organized chronologically. So to easily find a particular game, use the CTRL-F function of your browser to find a game. All games with mechanical animation in the backbox have a * next to the game name.
Start of Flipper Games with 6 reverse flippers, very similar playfield layouts. At least the first three games (and maybe more) in this series were originally sold with 1 1/8" balls (but for restoration purposes, these games should use 1 1/16" balls). These games use a "time clock" which looks like a bell mounted under the playfield. But it turns off the game after about 10 minutes from the start of a game. Otherwise there is still power to the flippers/bumpers after playing the last ball.
Humpty Dumpty, 10/47, 6500 produced, 2 kick-out holes, was the first pinball ever made with flippers; this game had six.
Lady Robin Hood, 1/48, 6000 produced, 1 kick-out hole.
Cinderella, 3/48, 4000 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Jack N Jill, 4/48, 2000 produced, 3 kick-out holes at bottom of playfield.
Olde King Cole, 5/48, 1500 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Ali-Baba, 6/48, 1700 produced.
Alice in Wonderland, 8/48, 1000 produced, 2 kick-out holes.
Miss Cue T, 1948, just a few produced, six flippers.
End of 6 reverse flippers, very similar playfield layouts.
Start of Flipper Games with 4 reverse flippers. These games MAY have come with 1 1/8" balls (but for restoration purposes, these games should use 1 1/16" balls).
Barnacle Bill, 8/48, 2500 produced,
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