Episode 230: Tilted Through Time

Episode 230:

Tilted Through Time

The History of Pinball

Runtime: 61 minutes

History Topics (At-A Glance):

Pinball

Originally Released on or around the 19th century

Episode Summary:

Today, we’re tracing the rich history of pinball, a timeless game that began as a tabletop amusement in 18th-century France and evolved into a cultural phenomenon. We’ll explore its transformation from early bagatelle tables to electrified arcade staples, touching on pivotal innovations like flippers, tilt mechanisms, and multi-level playfields. Along the way, we’ll dive into its battle against prohibition in the 1940s and its digital revival in modern gaming. Finally, we’ll reflect on pinball’s enduring legacy as both a nostalgic favorite and a symbol of gaming ingenuity. So, pull the plunger and join us for a tilt-free trip down Memory Card Lane!

Video Games and Consoles Discussed in this Episode:
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 26). Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball
Internet Pinball Machine Database: M. Redgrave Bagatelle Company “1871 Redgrave Parlor Bagatelle.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4542 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4542
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 6). Baffle ball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffle_Ball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffle_Ball
Internet Pinball Machine Database: Caille Bros. “Log Cabin.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5203 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5203
Internet Pinball Machine Database: “Whiffle Game.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5397 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5397
Internet Pinball Machine Database: in and outdoor games “Whoopee Game.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2774 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2774
Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bingo Novelty Manufacturing Company “Bingo.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3620 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3620
Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bally “Ballyhoo.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4817 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4817
Internet Pinball Machine Database: PAMCO “Contact (Senior).” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3029 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3029
Internet Pinball Machine Database: Gottlieb “Humpty Dumpty.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1254 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1254
Internet Pinball Machine Database: Gottlieb “Just 21.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1344 https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1344
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, May 3). Gorgar. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgar
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, July 21). Space Shuttle (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_(pinball)
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, April 22). Firepower (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_(pinball)
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 18). Black Hole (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_(pinball)
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, May 3). Black Knight (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(pinball)
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, June 18). Xenon (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_(pinball)
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 29). The Wizard of Oz (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(pinball) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(pinball)
TV Pin Game - videogame by Chicago Coin Machine Co. (1973). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/tv-pin-game https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/tv-pin-game
Pin Pong - Videogame by Atari. (1974). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/pin-pong https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/pin-pong
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 13). Pinball Dreams. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Dreams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Dreams
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 19). Pro Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Pinball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Pinball
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 17). 3-D Ultra Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-D_Ultra_Pinball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-D_Ultra_Pinball
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 14). Pinball FX (2023 video game). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_FX_(2023_video_game) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_FX_(2023_video_game)

Video Games and Consoles Discussed in this Episode:

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 26). Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball

Internet Pinball Machine Database: M. Redgrave Bagatelle Company “1871 Redgrave Parlor Bagatelle.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4542

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4542

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 6). Baffle ball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffle_Ball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffle_Ball

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Caille Bros. “Log Cabin.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5203

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5203

Internet Pinball Machine Database: “Whiffle Game.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5397

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5397

Internet Pinball Machine Database: in and outdoor games “Whoopee Game.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2774

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2774

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bingo Novelty Manufacturing Company “Bingo.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3620

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3620

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bally “Ballyhoo.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4817

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4817

Internet Pinball Machine Database: PAMCO “Contact (Senior).” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3029

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=3029

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Gottlieb “Humpty Dumpty.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1254

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1254

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Gottlieb “Just 21.” (n.d.). https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1344

https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=1344

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, May 3). Gorgar. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgar

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, July 21). Space Shuttle (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_(pinball)

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, April 22). Firepower (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_(pinball)

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 18). Black Hole (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_(pinball)

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, May 3). Black Knight (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(pinball)

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, June 18). Xenon (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_(pinball)

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 29). The Wizard of Oz (pinball). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(pinball)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(pinball)

TV Pin Game - videogame by Chicago Coin Machine Co. (1973). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/tv-pin-game

https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/tv-pin-game

Pin Pong - Videogame by Atari. (1974). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/pin-pong

https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/pin-pong

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 13). Pinball Dreams. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Dreams

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Dreams

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 19). Pro Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Pinball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Pinball

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 17). 3-D Ultra Pinball. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-D_Ultra_Pinball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-D_Ultra_Pinball

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 14). Pinball FX (2023 video game). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_FX_(2023_video_game)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_FX_(2023_video_game)

Additional Sources:
Klein, C., & Klein, C. (2023, October 5). That time America outlawed pinball. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/that-time-america-outlawed-pinball https://www.history.com/news/that-time-america-outlawed-pinball
BALLYHOO. (n.d.). http://www.scholzroland.de/VPStuff/BALLYHOO.htm http://www.scholzroland.de/VPStuff/BALLYHOO.htm
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 13). Gottlieb. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 14). Arcade game. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_game#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_game#History
Smith, K. (n.d.). Pinball before baffle ball. https://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/04/pinball-before-baffle-ball.html https://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/04/pinball-before-baffle-ball.html
Smith, E. (2024, October 25). The history of vending machines goes back to the 1st century. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-vending-machines-goes-back-to-the-1st-century https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-vending-machines-goes-back-to-the-1st-century
Videogamehistorian. (2015, April 23). Whiffle – they create worlds. They Create Worlds. https://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com/tag/whiffle/ https://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com/tag/whiffle/
Pinball Amusement Machines: s. (n.d.). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/game-list/0/Pinball https://www.arcade-museum.com/game-list/0/Pinball
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 14). Stern (game company). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern_(game_company) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern_(game_company)
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, April 17). Montague Redgrave. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montague_Redgrave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montague_Redgrave
Bellis, M. (2019, December 4). The history of vending machines. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-of-vending-machines-1992599 https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-of-vending-machines-

Additional Sources:

Klein, C., & Klein, C. (2023, October 5). That time America outlawed pinball. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/that-time-america-outlawed-pinball

https://www.history.com/news/that-time-america-outlawed-pinball

BALLYHOO. (n.d.). http://www.scholzroland.de/VPStuff/BALLYHOO.htm

http://www.scholzroland.de/VPStuff/BALLYHOO.htm

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 13). Gottlieb. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 14). Arcade game. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_game#History

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_game#History

Smith, K. (n.d.). Pinball before baffle ball. https://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/04/pinball-before-baffle-ball.html

https://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/04/pinball-before-baffle-ball.html

Smith, E. (2024, October 25). The history of vending machines goes back to the 1st century. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-vending-machines-goes-back-to-the-1st-century

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-vending-machines-goes-back-to-the-1st-century

Videogamehistorian. (2015, April 23). Whiffle – they create worlds. They Create Worlds. https://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com/tag/whiffle/

https://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com/tag/whiffle/

Pinball Amusement Machines: s. (n.d.). Museum of the Game. https://www.arcade-museum.com/game-list/0/Pinball

https://www.arcade-museum.com/game-list/0/Pinball

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 14). Stern (game company). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern_(game_company)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern_(game_company)

Wikipedia contributors. (2022, April 17). Montague Redgrave. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montague_Redgrave

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montague_Redgrave

Bellis, M. (2019, December 4). The history of vending machines. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-of-vending-machines-1992599

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-of-vending-machines-

Audio Sources:
Cold Open Music	Bleeping Demo by Kevin MacLeod Link: Free Download Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Podcast Intro Music	Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod Link: Free Download Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Audio Sources:

Cold Open Music

Bleeping Demo by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Podcast Intro Music

Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license