Mermaid

The Mermaid, designed by Wayne Neyens and manufactured by Gottlieb in May 1951, is a single-player electro-mechanical pinball machine with a fishing theme, notable for its mechanical backbox animation. Only 600 units were produced.

The Mermaid features two flippers, three pop bumpers, seven passive bumpers, and two kick-out holes, plus a V-shaped safety gate between the flippers. Its standout feature is the backbox animation: when points are scored, a man catches a boot while a fish surfaces, appearing to thumb its "nose" at the angler. This attention to detail showcases the creative approach taken by Gottlieb's designers during this era.

The Mermaid's design and art, by Roy Parker, are characteristic of early 1950s pinball aesthetics, with a prominent backglass featuring the animated fishing scene. Its distinctive backbox animation and fishing theme make it a notable and relatively scarce example of early 1950s Gottlieb EM design.