Star-Jet

Star-Jet, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the early 1960s, emerged during the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball machines when space and aviation themes were extremely popular due to the ongoing Space Race between the United States and Soviet Union. This machine captured the public's fascination with jet aircraft and space exploration, themes that resonated strongly with audiences of the era.

The machine featured classic electro-mechanical components typical of its time, including mechanical score reels, relay-based logic, and the distinctive sounds of chimes and bells that characterized pinball machines of this period. The playfield likely included standard features of the era such as pop bumpers, kick-out holes, and various targets, all themed around aviation and space flight imagery.

Gottlieb's Star-Jet represents an important piece of pinball history, produced during a time when the company was one of the industry's leading manufacturers. While not as well-known as some other Gottlieb titles of the period, it exemplifies the craftsmanship and attention to detail that made Gottlieb machines highly regarded among operators and players alike.

While exact production numbers are not readily available, machines from this era typically saw production runs of several thousand units. Today, Star-Jet serves as a collector's piece that represents both the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball and America's fascination with aviation and space exploration during the 1960s.