Getting into pinball

So how did I get into pinball? Well, for as long as I can remember, it's always been there. Growing up, my parents had a collection of about 21 pinball machines. My mom is the pinball wizard in the family. My dad preffered to just fix them. I still remember when they got their most recent pin, Star Wars Episode 1. I was so excited seeing after seeing it in the theater and I had no idea they had ordered it. A huge box showed up one day and it was so fun assembling it with them.

Eventually I got to the point where I could compete against my mom's high scores. She'd set one, I'd beat it a couple weeks later, then she'd beat me again! I think the only one I ever held top score on was Judge Dredd. Her favorite was Bride of Pinbot: The Machine. It took me forever to get to her level on that one. Everytime we'd play, she would advance through the faces with ease. I remember the first time I made it through the first two faces. It felt like such an acomplishment. I think I've only ever gotten to the last face once or twice.

Pretty early on my dad taught me how to solder and read schematics so I could help him with repairs and maitnence. Eventually I took on my own resotration projects in high school. My first was a Gottlieb Big Shot and then I started work on a Gottlieb Bronco, but I unfortunately wasn't able to finish it before heading off to college.

I have since started a collection of my own with my wife's blessing. I found a 1948 Manhattan wood rail by United locally which needed a complete restoration. With a move, it got put to the side for a while, but it's almost done. I recently picked up 2 other pins that I found locally. My mom and I still have the occasional pinball competition when I visit. If I have my way, the next time I visit, I'll snag one of the pins I restored many years ago during high school.