Mikes story.....

I have loved pinball since I was a teenager in the late 1970's. When I was in junior high school, my Dad and younger brother dragged home a 1948 United "Babyface' from a friends garage. They spent a long time getting that game working correctly, and replaced the playfield glass. They cut and heated IBM check sorting machine drive belts to make rubbers for the game. 30 some years later, my brother is sadly gone, but the game remains. We recently repainted the cabinet in the correct style/colors (it was house paint yellow!!). Over the past Christmas my daughter and nephews and neices gave it quite a workout.

When I was in high school, I washed dishes in a restaurant/deli at the local mall (I worked there during the filming of the original "Dawn of the Dead" movie and can remember them setting up for filming each night as we were leaving--just a little trivia for you zombie fans!). On my breaks, I used to go up to the arcade and spend my quarters playing pinball games.

I was always attracted to the nuts and bolts mechanical aspect of these games. I also love the artwork...especially the comic book like fantasy stuff.

I am slowly growing my collection, as time and budget permits. I have games from 1943 thru my currently on order Avengers PRO model that should be here later this month. I like the progression in technology from the earliest "flipperless" games up thru todays models. My wife and daughter both play, though not with the same enthusiasm I have. However, whenever someone asks me what is my favorite game, my usual response is "Whatever one I am playing!".