So I've been looking around the internet trying to find information about the origins of competitive pinball, and I've found something called the World Pinball Organization that looks like it may have preceded PAPA or the IFPA. Does anyone have a clue when that started or who was involved in making it happen?

#2 5 years ago

JPJ

Frippertron

Pinside member

Sparta, NJ

7y 60,800 2,301

I think Steve Kirk was involved with that if I'm not mistaken.

#3 5 years ago

AXE

YeOldPinPlayer

Inactive member

Unknown

8y 111K 6,454 4 12

It's mentioned on the Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball#Competitions
"Two Pinball World Championships were held in the Washington, D.C. area in 1972 and 1973 under the auspices of the World Pinball Association which also published a newsletter carrying results of regional tournaments."
ifpapinball might know someone who knows more about it. I skimmed through Pinball Magazine #1 and didn't see it mentioned but I could have missed it. unigroove may have more information about other early organizations.

#4 5 years ago

Gabechazano

Pinside member

New York, NY

7y 23,400 6

Looks like Steve Kirk made something called the Pinball Association of America, that he shouted out on the art of some of his games. Couldn’t find anything on how that might be related to the World Pinball Organization

#5 5 years ago

JPJ

Frippertron

Pinside member

Sparta, NJ

7y 60,800 2,301

OP
Quoted from Gabechazano:
Looks like Steve Kirk made something called the Pinball Association of America, that he shouted out on the art of some of his games. Couldn’t find anything on how that might be related to the World Pinball Organization

You are right, I just got them confused. That'll teach me to not do research before I open my big mouth.

#6 5 years ago

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

The PAA came along long after the World Pinball Association. I tried to track down the WPA guy in the 1990s, but did not find him. I think there's an article out there somewhere that puts all those early tournaments in proper sequence.
.................David Marston

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