Hi-Hat

The Hi-Hat pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the mid-1970s, represents a classic example of electro-mechanical pinball design during a pivotal era in arcade entertainment. This period marked the final years of the electro-mechanical age, just before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics.

The machine's theme appears to draw inspiration from the musical world, specifically the hi-hat cymbal used in drum kits, which was particularly relevant during the height of rock and roll's popularity. The naming convention aligns with Gottlieb's tendency during this era to create simple, catchy titles that connected with contemporary culture.

As an electro-mechanical machine, Hi-Hat would have featured the characteristic bells, chimes, and mechanical score reels that defined this generation of pinball machines. The gameplay likely emphasized traditional pinball elements such as pop bumpers, drop targets, and rollover switches, all controlled through a complex system of relays and stepper units housed in the machine's head.

While not among Gottlieb's most famous titles, Hi-Hat represents an important piece of pinball history, manufactured during a time when electro-mechanical games were reaching their technological peak just before the electronic revolution that would transform the industry. These machines are now valued by collectors as examples of classic mechanical engineering and design.