Bowling Alley

The Bowling Alley pinball machine, crafted by D. Gottlieb & Company in February 1939, is a fascinating piece of pre-war electro-mechanical pinball history. Designed by Harry Mabs with artwork by Roy Parker, it brought the popular sport of bowling to the pinball cabinet years before flippers existed.

Gameplay on Bowling Alley is a testament to clever pre-war design. This flipperless game features sixteen spring bumpers, and hitting the corresponding bumpers on the playfield lights up the ten bowling pins displayed on the backglass, creating an immersive bowling experience within the confines of the machine. The player's skill lies in the plunge and in nudging the ball toward the right bumpers.

The art and theme of Bowling Alley are quintessential examples of late-1930s pinball design from the Mabs/Parker team, evoking a sense of vintage Americana that makes surviving examples appealing to pinball collectors and enthusiasts.