Machine Description

Flipper Clown, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the early 1960s, represents a classic example of the carnival-themed electro-mechanical pinball machines that were popular during this era. The machine embraced the whimsical circus aesthetic that resonated with family entertainment venues of the period, featuring bright colors and clown imagery that was characteristic of the time.

The machine's design incorporated the standard two-flipper configuration that had become industry standard by this point, moving away from the earlier trapezoid-shaped playfields of the 1950s toward a more familiar modern layout. As an electro-mechanical machine, it utilized relay switches, stepper units, and score wheels rather than electronic displays, creating the distinctive mechanical sounds and chimes that collectors particularly value today.

Flipper Clown featured several innovative gameplay elements for its time, including multiple pop bumpers and target banks that kept with the circus theme. The scoring system was straightforward but engaging, typical of early 1960s machines that needed to balance entertainment value with mechanical reliability. While not as well-known as some other Gottlieb titles from this period, Flipper Clown represents an important transition point in pinball design as manufacturers were refining their approach to flipper-based gameplay.

Production numbers for Flipper Clown are not precisely known, but like many machines from this era, it was likely manufactured in quantities of several thousand units. Today, surviving examples are sought after by collectors who appreciate its representation of classic electro-mechanical pinball design and its carnival theme, which was a popular motif in midcentury amusement devices.