Born in 1953. Played pinball at the local bowling alley as a teen. Dime a game... Joined the Navy in 1971 at 18 and life moved on. Didn't play pinball until an employee took me out to breakfast in 1999. There was a well used Theater of Magic in the back of the restaurant. Put in my quarters started play without knowing what's up and this machine talked, had ramps and started spitting out a number of balls (multiball). I was amazed.
Bought my first machine in 2000, a Whirlwind off of E-bay from Craig Hassell. Overpaid at the time, it was an auction with a few bidders. I believe $1,200 or so. Caught the bug and now have 18 machines including the Whirlwind which is being restored at this time.
Tough times in the early 2000's as parts dried up quite a bit. The resurgence has been great for new machines and restoration / maintenance of the older machines. Pricing of late is an eyebrow raiser.