Flying Circus

Flying Circus, designed by Wayne Neyens and manufactured by Gottlieb in June 1961, is a genuinely innovative two-player electro-mechanical game with a confirmed production run of 2,050 units. Its claim to fame is real and specific: it was the first pinball machine by any manufacturer to feature five captive balls positioned to work like a Newton's Cradle toy - the ball in play strikes the lower end of the column of captive balls, and only the ball at the top end is propelled in response. Neyens was inspired to create the device after seeing the large Newton's Cradle exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

Gottlieb's flyer introduced this device as the "Booster Ball" feature, part of the game's new "Chain Reaction" scoring in which getting five balls on the lit side awards a Special. The feature appeared on only one other Gottlieb game - 1962's 'Sunset', where it was called "Boost-A-Ball" - but was picked up under various names by other manufacturers on later games. Beyond the captive balls, Flying Circus offers two flippers, four pop bumpers, two slingshots, and two gobble holes, with three or five ball play, a maximum displayed score of 1,999 points per player, and a replay wheel that reaches a healthy 26.

From a design perspective, Flying Circus boasts colorful Roy Parker artwork with a whimsical circus theme, transporting players to a vibrant carnival atmosphere. The sound package of two bells and a knocker adds to the period charm. With its blend of classic features and a genuinely first-of-its-kind mechanical gimmick, Flying Circus remains an attractive and historically significant addition to any pinball enthusiast's collection.