Big Broadcast (Sr)

Big Broadcast (Sr) is an early example of the pure mechanical pin games produced by D. Gottlieb & Company, dating to February 1933. As a piece of pinball's earliest commercial era, it is a machine of genuine historical interest, and games of this vintage are prized by collectors and enthusiasts.

One of the key features that sets this machine apart is its set of ten snap traps, which open at the start of each game and shut after a ball enters, preventing subsequent balls from scoring in the same hole. This clever design not only enhances gameplay but also demonstrates the ingenuity and problem-solving skills of early pinball designers. The trapped ball then rolls down a passageway, triggering a rolling score reel near the bottom of the playfield, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.

The Senior model was the largest of Gottlieb's Big Broadcast line, advertised at 22 inches wide and 45 inches long. While little is known about the machine's artwork or theme beyond its mechanical innovations, Big Broadcast (Sr) represents an early effort in pinball manufacturing, and its preservation helps document the evolution of this beloved pastime.