Black Beauty

The Black Beauty is a notable addition to the early days of pinball history. As one of Gottlieb's earliest pure mechanical (PM) machines, produced in February 1934, it marks an early point in the evolution of the game. During this period, pinball was still in its infancy, with many games featuring simple, straightforward gameplay and no electrical components at all.

The Black Beauty's design is characterized by a traditional mechanical layout, relying on gravity, levers, and gears to create a challenging experience for players -- flippers would not be invented until 1947, so the ball's path once launched was guided entirely by the physical layout of the playfield rather than by player-controlled paddles. Although no specific theme is attributed to this machine, the lack of elaborate artwork or theme is typical for games from this era.

Interestingly, very little is known about the Black Beauty beyond its production date and manufacturer. It is one of several early Gottlieb machines that have been documented but remain relatively obscure among pinball enthusiasts. Despite its limited provenance, collectors and historians are likely to be intrigued by this early example of a pure mechanical machine, offering a glimpse into the formative years of the game's development.