Skyway

Skyway, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1964, represents a classic example of mid-1960s electro-mechanical pinball design during the golden age of mechanical pinball machines. The machine captured the era's fascination with highway culture and the expanding American interstate system, which was transforming the nation's landscape during this period.

The playfield design featured a distinctive highway theme with ramps and lanes representing roadways, complemented by art that depicted scenic highway vistas and classic automobiles of the period. As typical for electro-mechanical machines of this era, Skyway utilized mechanical score reels, chimes, and bells to provide player feedback, creating the signature sound profile that collectors and enthusiasts particularly value.

From a gameplay perspective, Skyway incorporated several innovative features for its time, including multiple lanes and targets that represented different 'routes' players could take to achieve high scores. The machine's scoring system rewarded skilled shot-making and strategic play, characteristics that helped establish Gottlieb's reputation for creating player-focused games during this period. While exact production numbers aren't well documented, Skyway is considered a moderately rare machine among collectors today.