Big Broadcast (Special)

The Big Broadcast (Special) from March 1933 is an early and fascinating example of a Pure Mechanical pin game produced by D. Gottlieb & Company. This game showcases the innovative spirit of early pinball designers, who experimented with novel features to create engaging gameplay experiences during the industry's very first years.

The machine offered 10 balls for 5 cents, and its defining gameplay feature is its set of ten snap traps. The traps open at the beginning of a game and snap shut after a ball rolls into a hole, preventing any other ball from scoring in the same spot. The trapped ball then rolls down a passageway, tripping a rolling score reel near the bottom of the playfield. This clever design added an extra layer of strategy, as each hole could only be scored once per game.

Advertised at 18 inches wide and 36 inches long with removable legs at a cost of $22.50, the Special was one of several models in Gottlieb's Big Broadcast line. There is limited information available about its artwork, but as an early Gottlieb Pure Mechanical game it offers a glimpse into the first days of pinball's development and the ingenuity of its designers.