Founded: 1927, Chicago, Illinois
Founder: David Gottlieb

David Gottlieb started his company with a breakthrough game called Baffle Ball, one of the earliest commercially successful pinball machines. Its popularity helped launch the coin-op amusement industry—and Gottlieb quickly became a household name in entertainment.

Throughout the 1940s–1960s, Gottlieb was the gold standard for mechanical pinball, known for beautifully crafted woodrails and clean, elegant playfields. They introduced flippers in 1947 with Humpty Dumpty, forever changing the game from pure chance to player skill.

In the 1970s, Gottlieb adapted to solid-state technology, releasing hits like Cleopatra, Haunted House, and Black Hole—the latter featuring the first two-level playfield, a true innovation.

🧠 Key People Behind Gottlieb’s Magic

• David Gottlieb – Founder and visionary who turned a novelty game into an American staple.
• Wayne Neyens – Lead designer from the 1940s to ’70s; credited with over 150 titles including Kings & Queens, Flipper Fair, and Sky Jump. A true legend.
• Ed Krynski – Designer behind Gottlieb’s later greats like Joker Poker, Genie, and Spirit. His rule sets and layouts were often deceptively deep.
• Gordon Morison – The artist whose bright, friendly, instantly recognizable style defined Gottlieb’s golden era visuals.

🧬 Legacy

Gottlieb machines are known for their precise play, friendly art, and approachability—the “everyman’s pinball.” The company changed hands several times, eventually becoming Premier Technology in the 1980s, before exiting the pinball business in 1996.