Whirl-Wind

Whirl-Wind, designed by Wayne Neyens and manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in January 1958, stands as an example of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines during the late 1950s. It is built around a Flamenco Dancing theme, an unusual choice offering a glimpse into the era's artistic influences.

Key gameplay features on Whirl-Wind include two flippers, three pop bumpers, four passive bumpers that award points when struck, two slingshots that redirect the ball's trajectory, and a roto-target that challenges players to hit specific targets. Gobble holes always score 100 times the roto-target value, worth 100 to 500 points. A kicker located between the flippers propels the ball towards the roto-target, adding an extra layer of strategy and challenge. The backglass, by artist Roy Parker, carries Gottlieb's famous phrase, "Amusement Pinballs, as American as Baseball and Hot Dogs!"

While specific details of the cabinet and playfield art beyond the Flamenco Dancing theme are not documented, Whirl-Wind's combination of gobble holes, roto-target, and dedicated ball-kicker mechanism made for a distinctive ruleset among Gottlieb's late-1950s output. It remains a fascinating piece of pinball history for enthusiasts to study and appreciate, with 1,100 units confirmed produced.