Machine Description

Gottlieb's 'Fairway' pinball machine, released in 1954, exemplified the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball design with its golf-themed playfield and classic styling. During this period, sports-themed pinball machines were particularly popular, and Fairway capitalized on the growing interest in golf among middle-class Americans in the post-war era.

The machine featured traditional electro-mechanical components and scoring mechanisms, with a playfield design that incorporated golf-related elements such as sand traps, putting greens, and fairway-themed targets. The artwork and backglass likely displayed golf imagery consistent with 1950s artistic styles, while the gameplay mechanics focused on precision shooting and target-hitting objectives common to pinball machines of this era.

As one of many sports-themed machines produced during the 1950s, Fairway represented Gottlieb's commitment to creating engaging themed experiences that resonated with the public's recreational interests. While exact production numbers are not readily available, machines from this era typically saw production runs in the low thousands, with surviving examples now considered collectible pieces of arcade gaming history.

The game's design and mechanics helped establish conventions that would influence future sports-themed pinball machines, contributing to the evolution of pinball design during the electro-mechanical era. Today, Fairway serves as a representative example of mid-century pinball manufacturing and the industry's close relationship with popular sports and leisure activities of the time.