Machine Description

Camel Caravan, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the early 1960s, represented a classic example of the desert-themed amusement devices that were popular during this era. The machine captured the exotic allure of Middle Eastern adventures that fascinated American pop culture during the post-war period.

The game featured hand-painted artwork depicting desert scenes with caravans, palm trees, and oases, characteristic of the detailed artistry found on electro-mechanical pinball machines of this period. Its playfield likely included multiple pop bumpers, kick-out holes, and classic triangular flipper configuration that defined machines of this era. The scoring system would have utilized the standard mechanical score reels common to all EM pinballs.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Camel Caravan represented the company's consistent approach to quality manufacturing and reliable game design during their golden age of electro-mechanical production. The theme aligned with other exotic adventure-themed machines of the early 1960s, when international travel and exploration captured the public imagination.

Production numbers for Camel Caravan are not well documented, but like most Gottlieb machines of this period, it would likely have had a production run of several thousand units. Today, surviving examples are considered collectible pieces that represent the classic era of electro-mechanical pinball design.