Machine Description

The Doodle Bug pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1960, represents a classic example of early 1960s electro-mechanical pinball design. During this period, Gottlieb was known for creating machines with clean, straightforward playfield layouts and engaging themes that appealed to the family-friendly arcade market.

The machine's theme appears to draw inspiration from the popular insect and nature motifs of the era, featuring whimsical artwork typical of the period. Like most Gottlieb games of this time, it would have featured the company's reliable electro-mechanical components, including mechanical score reels, relay-based logic systems, and the distinctive chime sounds that characterized games of this period.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Doodle Bug represents an important period in pinball history when manufacturers were refining their electro-mechanical designs and experimenting with playfield innovations. The early 1960s marked a time when pinball was emerging from its controversial past and becoming a more widely accepted form of entertainment.

The game would have been built on Gottlieb's standard production line in Chicago, though exact production numbers are not well documented. As with many machines from this era, surviving examples are considered collectible, particularly given their historical value in documenting the evolution of pinball design.