Machine Description

Dancing Dolls, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the early 1960s, represents a classic example of the company's electro-mechanical pinball machines from the golden age of pinball. The machine captured the vibrant spirit of early 1960s entertainment, featuring playful artwork that reflected the era's fascination with dance and youth culture.

The machine's design likely incorporated Gottlieb's renowned build quality and precision engineering that made them an industry leader during this period. The playfield would have featured the standard components of the era, including pop bumpers, stationary targets, and likely a series of rollover switches, all themed around the dancing motif. The scoring system, typical of electro-mechanical machines, would have utilized rotating score reels and chimes or bells for audio feedback.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Dancing Dolls represents an important piece of pinball history, showcasing the transition period between the simpler games of the 1950s and the more complex designs that would emerge later in the 1960s. The theme choice reflects the broader cultural context of the early 1960s, when social dancing was a central part of youth entertainment.

As with many machines from this era, surviving examples of Dancing Dolls are considered collectible pieces, though exact production numbers are not readily available. The machine serves as a testament to the artistic and mechanical craftsmanship that defined pinball manufacturing during the electro-mechanical era.