Blue Chip

Released by Williams Electronics, Incorporated on January 12, 1976, Blue Chip is a stock market-themed electro-mechanical pinball machine designed by Gordon Horlick with artwork by Lloyd Rognan. Williams produced 2,150 units of this single-player game as model number 463, split between 1,700 units for USA/Canada and 450 for export markets.

The playfield features two flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, eight standup targets, two kick-out holes, and two spinning targets with end-of-ball bonus capability. The audio system includes three chimes and a knocker. Production occurred in two runs: a sample run of 53 units in January 1976 and a main run of 2,097 units from November-December 1976, with shipping continuing through May 1977. The machine was convertible between replay and add-a-ball modes.

Blue Chip represents one of Williams final electro-mechanical designs, with the Bill of Materials at $313.79 and distributor price at $745.00. Lloyd Rognans backglass artwork was created in pastels on paper, measuring 25¼ × 21¼ inches. With a fun rating of 7.5/10, Blue Chip exemplifies the sophisticated mechanical engineering that characterized Williams production during the final years of the EM era before the industry transitioned to solid-state electronics.