Top Hat

Top Hat, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1964, represents a classic example of mid-1960s electro-mechanical pinball design during the golden age of pinball. The machine's elegant theme drew inspiration from formal fashion and high society entertainment of the era, featuring imagery of top hats, white gloves, and sophisticated evening wear.

The playfield design incorporated traditional elements of the period, including pop bumpers, rollover switches, and drop targets arranged in a pattern that rewarded precise shooting skills. As was common for machines of this era, Top Hat utilized electro-mechanical scoring reels and chimes rather than electronic sound effects. The backglass artwork likely featured sophisticated characters in formal attire, consistent with other Gottlieb designs of the mid-1960s that often emphasized class and style.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Top Hat represents an important period in pinball history when manufacturers were refining their electro-mechanical systems and developing more sophisticated scoring mechanisms. The machine would have been a common sight in arcades, bars, and other entertainment venues of the mid-1960s, offering players an engaging experience that combined skill-based gameplay with period-appropriate theming.