School Days

School Days pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the mid-1960s, captured the nostalgic essence of American education during a transformative period in US history. The machine's theme resonated with both adults reminiscing about their school years and younger players still living their academic experiences, making it a clever choice for location-based entertainment.

The playfield design incorporated classic school imagery including textbooks, blackboards, and academic motifs that were typical of Gottlieb's attention to thematic detail during this era. As an electro-mechanical machine, it featured the characteristic sounds of chimes and bells, with gameplay focused on hitting specific targets to advance through various 'subjects' or scoring sequences. The machine likely included the standard features of the period such as pop bumpers, kick-out holes, and rolling targets.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, School Days represents an important piece of pinball history as it exemplifies the company's strategy of creating broadly appealing themes that could be placed in any location without controversy. The educational theme was considered family-friendly, allowing the machine to be placed in a wide variety of venues from drug stores to family entertainment centers.