Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty, designed by Harry Mabs and manufactured by Gottlieb in 1947, is a landmark in pinball history. While mechanical, non-electric flippers had appeared on earlier games, Humpty Dumpty was the first pinball machine manufactured with electromechanical flippers, marking a major innovation in gameplay. The six flippers allowed players to control the ball's movement with greater precision, setting a new standard for pinball design.

The machine boasts 10 passive bumpers and two kick-out holes, which added an extra layer of challenge and strategy to gameplay. The backglass features a stop-motion light animation of Humpty Dumpty falling, while the illuminated credit display on the backglass adds to its visual appeal. The machine's unique combination of innovative features made it a standout in 1947, with contemporary distributors praising it as one of the greatest improvements in the history of pin games.

Little is known about the specific design inspirations behind Humpty Dumpty beyond its invention of the electromechanical flipper by Harry Mabs, a Gottlieb employee. As the game that introduced electromechanical flippers, it played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of pinball. For enthusiasts of early pinball history and collectors of rare Gottlieb machines, Humpty Dumpty offers a fascinating glimpse into the development of pinball's golden age.