PACIFIC PINBALL MUSEUM’S
'SHOOT THE MOON'
2016 EXPOSITION


Date: 10th - 13th November, 2016
Location: PPM Annex, 1680 Viking Street, Alameda, CA, USA

Report by Gordon Hasse (AKA Gordo)

All photos by and courtesy of Dave Miller Photography unless otherwise noted


The poster announcing the show
The poster announcing the show

After a four year hiatus, during which time efforts were focused on operations and expansion, the Pacific Pinball Museum resumed its highly successful series of PPM Expositions on November 11th, 12th and 13th, preceded by a special VIP early bird preview sale and party on the 10th.

This way to fun!
This way to fun!

Exposition 2016, the museum’s seventh, adopted the theme Shoot the Moon, borrowing the name and the George Molentin graphics from Williams’ 1951 pinball machine of the same name, which greeted visitors at the entrance to the show.

Michael Schiess, PPM Founder, Larry Zartarian, PPM Board President and Gordo admire the show’s signature game
Michael Schiess, PPM Founder, Larry Zartarian, PPM Board President and Gordo admire the show’s signature game

Shoot the Moon proved to be an all-together fitting title for the 2016 show reflecting the PPM’s cosmic accomplishments since their last Exposition. In the four year interim since the last show the museum space has increased significantly, the collection has continued to grow at a rapid pace and important progress has been made toward the funding required to relocate the PPM to the former Carnegie Library across from Alameda’s City Hall.

Most recently, the on-going issue of adequate storage was successfully addressed. Until July the PPM was faced with severe overcrowding in their former storage and restoration facility.

Even the narrow paths that separated aisles of games from one another had become impassable, requiring dozens, even hundreds of games, to be moved in order to unearth any given machine.

360-degree video of the former PPM warehouse by and courtesy of Steve Tsubota
Click to explore a 360-degree video of the former PPM warehouse
by and courtesy of Steve Tsubota Click to open in new window

Having determined that more space was not just desirable but necessary, the PPM Board of Directors decided to move the museum’s entire inventory of games, except for those in the museum proper, into a huge new commercial space. PPM Exposition 7 was staged to celebrate the importance of that move, showcase the museum’s greatly expanded collection and share with the public what the PPM has recently accomplished and what lies ahead.

The PPM Board of Directors. PPM Archives
The PPM Board of Directors
(PPM Archives)

The gala event was held in the new Pacific Pinball Museum Annex at 1680 Viking Street in Alameda, California. The new Annex is just minutes away from the PPM Museum’s 1510 Webster Street location, which is open to the public 6 days a week, featuring a rotating line-up of 100-110 games set up on free play.

360-degree video of the former PPM warehouse by and courtesy of Steve Tsubota
Click to explore a 360-degree video of the current 45,000 square foot
PPM Annex by and courtesy of Steve Tsubota Click to open in new window

The new, 45,000 square foot PPM Annex provided the perfect venue to introduce visitors to nearly 500 pinball machines from the museum’s more than 1,300 game collection.

Plenty of storage for the PPM’s rapidly growing collection
Plenty of storage for the PPM’s rapidly growing collection

Games were arranged in back-to-back “islands” with extra-wide aisles between them allowing visitors plenty of room to play and the unique opportunity to walk, chronologically, year-by-year, through the development of pinball from 1947 through the present.

Players travel comfortably back in time along wide-open corridors
Players travel comfortably back in time along wide-open corridors

The time and effort required to successfully stage and manage such a pinball extravaganza could not have been achieved without the tireless efforts of an exceptional group of dedicated volunteers, some who began work as early as June to meet the November 10th deadline.

Volunteer couple John and Stephanie Kimball check out the silent auction goodies
Volunteer couple John and Stephanie Kimball check out the silent auction goodies

The thousands of hours required to prepare and mount the show were managed and coordinated by key members of the PPM team.

David Volansky, PPM’s newest Board member, was instrumental in the layout and engineering of the show and served as Floor Manager.

David Volansky. PPM Archives
David Volansky
(PPM Archives)

As Volunteer Coordinator, Brad Grant did an excellent job managing and scheduling the tasks of more than sixty hard-working volunteers.

Brad Grant with PPM donors Pat & Gordon Hasse
Brad Grant with PPM donors Pat & Gordon Hasse

PPM Assistant Director d’Arci Bruno served as Facilities Manager capably assisted by Lynn Gustafson.

d’Arci Bruno and Lynn Gustafson
d’Arci Bruno and Lynn Gustafson

PPM Curator Melissa Harmon’s artistic and managerial skills were constantly called upon as she multi-tasked throughout the four-day show.

Melissa Harmon conducts one of her teaching seminars at the PPM. PPM Archives
Melissa Harmon conducts one of her teaching seminars at the PPM
(PPM Archives)

All-important security and parking facilities were managed by Jim Strehlow and Jem Gruber.

Board member Jim Strehlow. PPM Archives
Board member Jim Strehlow
(PPM Archives)

Board Member Jem Gruber takes a special interest in his neighbor’s pinball technique. PPM Archives
Board Member Jem Gruber takes a keen interest in his neighbor’s pinball technique
(PPM Archives)

Ron Chan was responsible for developing the full color Shoot the Moon program guide with generous funding provided by exhibitor Marco Specialties.

PPM Board members Ron Chan and Dan Fontes. PPM Archives
PPM Board members Dan Fontes and Ron Chan
(PPM Archives)

Of the games on display, 440 were available for free play throughout the weekend, maintained by a cadre of pinball tech volunteers who kept the games in good working order with a bare minimum of down time.

Pinball Medic applies a cure
Pinball Medic applies a cure

Among the show’s highlights were the presence of 132 working woodrail pins from Gottlieb’s 1947 Flying Trapeze (their last pre-flipper game) to Flipper (their first add-a-ball) and a choice selection of Gottlieb wedgeheads.

A sampling of the rare and highly desirable woodrail and wedgehead games from pinball’s 'Golden Age' on the show floor included:


WOODRAILS

  • Gottlieb 1949 College Daze – Wayne Neyen’s 1st design

  • Gottlieb 1950 Knock Out

  • Gottlieb 1951 Mermaid, Minstrel Man and Niagara

  • Williams 1951 Shoot the Moon

  • Chicago Coin 1951 Thing

  • Williams 1952 Paratrooper as well as their Majorettes and Olympics, both with Roy Parker art!

  • Genco 1952 Springtime featuring both a vertical and a horizontal playfield!

  • Gottlieb 1953 Grand Slam, the quintessential non-pitch & bat baseball-themed pinball game

  • Gottlieb 1954 double-coin Daisy May, Diamond Lill, Dragonette, Hawaiian Beauty and Mystic Marvel

  • Williams 1953 Screamo (based on Chicago’s Riverview Park) as well as the futuristic Skyway designed by Harry Williams

  • Gottlieb Sluggin' Champ and Twin Bill from 1955

  • Genco 1957 Show Boat

  • Gottlieb 1958 Sittin' Pretty and Rocket Ship

  • Bally 1960 'one balls' Beach Queens and Beauty Contest

Five players enjoy themselves in the extensive woodrail section
Five players enjoy themselves in the extensive woodrail section


WEDGEHEADS

  • Gottlieb 1962 Flipper Cowboy

  • Gottlieb 1963 Slick Chick and Sweethearts

  • Gottlieb 1964 Majorettes and North Star

  • Gottlieb 1965 Cow Poke, Ice Revue and Kings & Queens

  • Gottlieb 1966 Cross Town

  • Gottlieb 1971 2001 and 4 Square

  • Gottlieb 1972 Pop-A-Card

  • Gottlieb 1975 El Dorado

Mike bangs on one of Larry Zartarian’s primo wedgeheads
Mike bangs on one of Larry Zartarian’s primo wedgeheads

While all but a handful of games at the show were gifted to the museum by a host of generous donors, special mention should be made of the 240 working woodrails and wedgeheads on the show floor contributed by Larry Zartarian, President and Treasurer of the PPM Board of Directors.

Larry Zartarian conducting one of his popular floor tours
Larry Zartarian conducting one of his popular floor tours

In addition to the woodrails available for play, there were 119 games from the 1960s, 129 from the 1970s, 28 from the 1980s, 31 from the 1990s, 3 from the 2000s and 5 from the 2010s.

It seems safe to say that there have never before been as many woodrails or wedgeheads available for play in a single venue, even in the most heavily populated arcades of the 1950s and 1960s!

It’s not just for guys anymore!
It’s not just for guys anymore!


MECHANICAL MARVELS

In addition, a special treat was in store for attendees thanks to Dan Miller who made his pristine collection of the three finest pinball machines from the mechanical age available for both viewing and play.

The trio, all made by David Rockola, included his 1933 World's Fair Jigsaw as well as Army & Navy and World's Series both from 1934.

Dan Miller fine-tunes his World’s Fair Jigsaw
Dan Miller fine-tunes his World’s Fair Jigsaw

It was amazing to observe the number of attendees who played these games repeatedly, captivated by the ingenuity and exceptional play value of these more than 80-year-old, entirely mechanical marvels!

 
WORKING GAMES ON THE SHOW FLOOR

1933 World’s Fair Jigsaw, Rockola
1934 Army & Navy, Rockola
1934 World’s Series, Rockola 
1947 Flying Trapeze, Gottlieb
1948 Ali-Baba, Gottlieb
1948 Barnacle Bill, Gottlieb
1948 Cinderella, Gottlieb
1949 De-Icer, Williams
1949 Basketball, Gottlieb
1949 Bowling Champ, Gottlieb
1949 College Daze, Gottlieb 
1949 Double-Shuffle, Gottlieb
1949 K.C. Jones, Gottlieb
1949 King Arthur & His Round Table, Gottlieb
1949 Old Faithful, Gottlieb
1949 Telecard, Gottlieb
1949 Three Musketeers, Gottlieb
1950 Lucky Inning, Williams
1950 Bank-A-Ball, Gottlieb
1950 Buffalo Bill, Gottlieb
1950 Canasta, Genco
1950 Double-Feature, Gottlieb
1950 Just 21, Gottlieb
1950 Knock Out, Gottlieb
1950 Madison Square Gardens, Gottlieb
1950 Rockettes, Gottlieb
1950 Select-A-Card, Gottlieb
1950 Spot Bowler, Gottlieb
1950 The 4 Horsemen, Gottlieb
1950 Triplets, Gottlieb
1951 Arcade, Williams
1951 Control Tower, Williams
1951 Cyclone, Gottlieb
1951 Globe Trotter, Gottlieb
1951 Happy-Go-Lucky, Gottlieb
1951 Mermaid, Gottlieb
1951 Minstrel Man, Gottlieb
1951 Niagara, Gottlieb
1951 Rose-Bowl, Gottlieb
1951 Shoot The Moon, Williams
1951 Thing, Chicago Coin
1951 Watch My Line, Gottlieb
1951 Wild West, Gottlieb
1952 All-Star Basketball, Gottlieb
1952 Caravan, Williams
1952 Chinatown, Gottlieb
1952 Coronation, Gottlieb
1952 Crossroads, Gottlieb
1952 Four Corners, Williams
1952 Four Stars, Gottlieb
1952 Happy Days, Gottlieb
1952 Hit ‘N’ Run, Gottlieb
1952 Majorettes, Williams
1952 Olympics, Williams
1952 Paratrooper, Williams
1952 Quartette, Gottlieb
1952 Skill-Pool, Gottlieb
1952 Springtime, Genco
1953 Arabian Knights, Gottlieb
1953 Flying High, Gottlieb
1953 Grand Champion, Williams
1953 Grand Slam, Gottlieb
1953 Guys Dolls, Gottlieb
1953 Pin Wheel, Gottlieb
1953 Poker Face, Gottlieb
1953 Quintette, Gottlieb
1953 Shindig, Gottlieb
1953 Times Square, Williams
1954 4-Belles, Gottlieb
1954 Big Ben, Williams
1954 Daisy May, Gottlieb
1954 Diamond Lill, Gottlieb
1954 Dragonette, Gottlieb
1954 Green Pastures, Gottlieb
1954 Jockey Club, Gottlieb
1954 Lady Luck, Gottlieb
1954 Lovely Lucy, Gottlieb
1954 Mystic Marvel, Gottlieb
1954 Screamo, Williams
1954 Skyway, Williams
1954 Stage Coach, Gottlieb
1955 Duette, Gottlieb
1955 Duette Deluxe, Gottlieb
1955 Easy Aces, Gottlieb
1955 Frontiersman, Gottlieb
1955 Gypsy Queen, Gottlieb
1955 Sluggin’ Champ, Gottlieb
1955 Southern Belle, Gottlieb
1955 Sweet Add-A-Line, Gottlieb
1955 Tournament, Gottlieb
1955 Twin Bill, Gottlieb
1955 Wishing Well, Gottlieb
1955 Wonderland, Williams
1956 Auto Race, Gottlieb
1956 Classy Bowler, Gottlieb
1956 Derby Day, Gottlieb
1956 Fair Lady, Gottlieb
1956 Gladiator, Gottlieb
1956 Harbor Lites, Gottlieb
1956 Rainbow, Gottlieb
1956 Score-Board, Gottlieb
1957 Continental Café, Gottlieb
1957 Falstaff, Gottlieb
1957 Show Boat, Genco
1957 Silver, Gottlieb
1957 Whirl-Wind, Gottlieb
1957 World Champ, Gottlieb
1958 Contest, Gottlieb
1958 Criss Cross, Gottlieb
1958 Double Action, Gottlieb
1958 Gondolier, Gottlieb
1958 Rocket Ship, Gottlieb
1958 Roto Pool, Gottlieb
1958 Sittin’ Pretty, Gottlieb
1958 Sunshine, Gottlieb
1958 Turf Champ, Williams
1959 Hi-Diver, Gottlieb
1959 Lightning Ball, Gottlieb
1959 Miss Annabelle, Gottlieb
1959 Queen Of Diamonds, Gottlieb
1959 Straight Shooter, Gottlieb
1959 Sweet Sioux, Gottlieb
1959 Universe, Gottlieb
1959 World Beauties, Gottlieb
1960 Beach Queens, Bally
1960 Beauty Contest, Bally
1960 Captain Kidd, Gottlieb
1960 Dancing Dolls, Gottlieb
1960 Flipper, Gottlieb
1960 Jungle, Williams
1960 Melody Lane, Gottlieb
1960 Merry-Go-Round, Gottlieb
1960 Spot-A-Card, Gottlieb
1960 Wagon Train, Gottlieb
1961 Add-A-Ball, Williams
1961 Aloha, Gottlieb
1961 Big Casino, Gottlieb
1961 Bo Bo, Williams
1961 Corral, Gottlieb
1961 Double Barrel, Williams
1961 Egg Head, Gottlieb
1961 Flipper Fair, Gottlieb
1961 Flipper Parade, Gottlieb
1961 Flying Circus, Gottlieb
1961 Highways, Williams
1961 Lancers, Gottlieb
1961 Oklahoma, Gottlieb
1961 Show Boat, Gottlieb
1961 Space Ship, Williams
1961 Ten Spot, Williams
1962 4 Roses, Williams
1962 Arrowhead, Keeney
1962 Cover Girl, Gottlieb
1962 Fashion Show, Gottlieb
1962 Flipper Clown, Gottlieb
1962 Flipper Cowboy, Gottlieb
1962 Liberty Belle, Gottlieb
1962 Olympics, Gottlieb
1962 Preview, Gottlieb
1962 Rack-A-Ball, Gottlieb
1962 Sunset, Gottlieb
1962 Target Gallery, Midway
1962 Tropic Isle, Gottlieb
1963 Big Daddy, Williams
1963 Gaucho, Gottlieb
1963 Gigi, Gottlieb
1963 Jumpin’ Jacks, Williams
1963 Merry Widow, Williams
1963 Moon Shot, Bally
1963 Slick Chick, Gottlieb
1963 Square Head, Gottlieb
1963 Sweet Hearts, Gottlieb
1963 Swing-Along, Gottlieb
1963 Tom Tom, Williams
1964 Big Top, Gottlieb
1964 Bonanza, Gottlieb
1964 Bowling Queen, Gottlieb
1964 Happy Clown, Gottlieb
1964 Mad World, Bally
1964 Majorettes, Gottlieb
1964 Monte Carlo, Bally
1964 North Star, Gottlieb
1964 Ship-Mates, Gottlieb
1964 Stop ‘N’ Go, Williams
1964 World Fair, Gottlieb
1965 Band Wagon, Bally
1965 Bank-A-Ball, Gottlieb
1965 Cow Poke, Gottlieb
1965 Flipper Pool, Gottlieb
1965 Hi Dolly, Gottlieb
1965 Ice-Revue, Gottlieb
1965 Kings & Queens, Gottlieb
1965 Magic Circle, Bally
1965 Moulin Rouge, Williams
1965 Paradise, Gottlieb
1965 Pot ‘O’ Gold, Williams
1965 Sky-Line, Gottlieb
1965 Teacher’s Pet, Williams
1965 Thoro-Bred, Gottlieb
1965 Trio, Bally
1966 Campus Queen, Gottlieb
1966 Capersville, Bally
1966 Central Park, Gottlieb
1966 Cross Town, Gottlieb
1966 Full House, Williams
1966 Hot Line, Williams
1966 Hurdy Gurdy, Gottlieb
1966 Ice Show, Gottlieb
1966 Masquerade, Gottlieb
1966 Mayfair, Gottlieb
1966 Subway, Gottlieb
1967 Beat Time, Williams
1967 Diamond Jack, Gottlieb
1967 Dixieland, Bally
1967 Melody, Gottlieb
1967 Rocket III, Bally
1967 Shangri-La, Williams
1967 Super Score, Gottlieb
1967 West Club, Rally (France)
1968 Ding Dong, Williams
1968 Domino, Gottlieb
1968 Doozie, Williams
1968 Fun Land, Gottlieb
1968 Lady Luck, Williams
1968 Minizag, Bally
1968 Palace Guard, Gottlieb
1968 Paul Bunyan, Gottlieb
1968 Playmates, Gottlieb
1968 Playtime, Chicago Coin
1968 Royal Guard, Gottlieb
1968 Spin Wheel, Gottlieb
1969 Action, Chicago Coin
1969 Expo, Williams
1969 Hearts & Spades, Gottlieb
1969 Joust, Bally
1969 King Tut, Bally
1969 Mibs, Gottlieb
1969 Mini Pool, Gottlieb
1969 Miss-O, Williams
1969 Moon Shot, Chicago Coin
1969 On Beam, Bally
1969 Paddock, Williams
1969 Road Race, Gottlieb
1969 Skipper, Gottlieb
1969 Spin-A-Card, Gottlieb
1969 Target Pool, Gottlieb
1969 Wild Wild West, Gottlieb
1970 4 Queens, Bally
1970 Aquarius, Gottlieb
1970 Baseball, Gottlieb
1970 Batter Up, Gottlieb
1970 Big Valley, Bally
1970 Bowl-O, Bally
1970 Crescendo, Gottlieb
1970 Double-Up, Bally
1970 Flip-A-Card, Gottlieb
1970 Galahad, Bally
1970 Polo, Gottlieb
1970 Rock ‘N’ Roll, Williams
1970 Scuba, Gottlieb
1970 Zip-A-Doo, Bally
1971 2001, Gottlieb
1971 4 Square, Gottlieb
1971 Abra Ca Dabra, Gottlieb
1971 Astro, Gottlieb
1971 Bristol Hills!, Gottlieb
1971 Doodle Bug, Williams
1971 Drop-A-Card, Gottlieb
1971 Roller Coaster, Gottlieb
1971 Stardust, Williams
1972 El Toro, Bally
1972 Fan-Tas-Tic, Williams
1972 Fireball, Bally
1972 Flying Carpet, Gottlieb
1972 Jungle, Gottlieb
1972 King Kool, Gottlieb
1972 Outer Space, Gottlieb
1972 Pop-A-Card, Gottlieb
1972 Super Star, Williams
1972 Swinger, Williams
1973 Gulfstream, Williams
1973 Hot Shot, Gottlieb
1973 Jack In The Box, Gottlieb
1973 Jungle King, Gottlieb
1973 King Pin, Gottlieb
1973 Nip-It, Bally
1973 OXO, Williams
1973 Pro-Football, Gottlieb
1973 Time Zone, Bally
1973 Upper Deck, Williams
1974 Amigo, Bally
1974 Big Brave, Gottlieb
1974 Champ, Bally
1974 Dealer’s Choice, Williams
1974 Duotron, Gottlieb
1974 Gin, Chicago Coin
1974 Sky Jump, Gottlieb
1974 Sky Kings, Bally
1974 Skylab, Williams
1974 Star Pool, Williams
1974 Super-Flite, Williams
1974 Top Card, Gottlieb
1975 Big Ben, Williams
1975 Bow & Arrow, Bally
1975 El Dorado, Gottlieb
1975 Knockout, Bally
1975 Pat Hand, Williams
1975 Top Score, Gottlieb
1975 Top Speed, Recel (Spain)
1975 Wizard!, Bally
1976 Aladdin’s Castle, Bally
1976 Blue Chip, Williams
1976 Buccaneer, Gottlieb
1976 Card Whiz, Gottlieb
1976 Hang Glider, Bally
1976 Hokus Pokus, Bally
1976 Lady Luck, Recel (Spain)
1976 Moon Flight, Zaccaria (Italy)
1976 Old Chicago (2), Bally
1976 Royal Flush, Gottlieb
1976 Sound Stage, Chicago Coin
1976 Space Odyssey, Williams
1976 Sure Shot, Gottlieb
1976 Surf Champ, Gottlieb
1976 Target Alpha, Gottlieb
1976 Underwater, Recel (Spain)
1977 Bronco, Gottlieb
1977 Butterfly, Sonic (Spain)
1977 Captain Fantastic, Bally
1977 Cleopatra, Gottlieb
1977 Combat, Zaccaria (Italy)
1977 Dragon, Interflip (Spain)
1977 Eight Ball, Bally
1977 Evel Knievel, Bally
1977 Icarus, Recel (Spain)
1977 Jacks Open, Gottlieb
1977 Jet Spin, Gottlieb
1977 Jungle Princess, Gottlieb
1977 Liberty Bell, Williams
1977 Mars Trek, Sonic (Spain)
1977 Monaco, Segasa (Spain)
1977 Nautilus, Zaccaria (Italy)
1977 Night Rider, Bally
1977 Rawhide, Stern
1977 Stampede, Stern
1977 Stingray, Stern
1977 Super Straight, Sonic (Spain)
1977 Team One, Gottlieb
1977 Wild Card, Williams
1978 Chance, Playmatic (Spain)
1978 Charlie’s Angels, Gottlieb
1978 Close Encounters Of The 3rd Kind, Gottlieb
1978 Disco Fever, Williams
1978 Hit The Deck, Gottlieb
1978 Lucky Seven, Williams
1978 Mata Hari, Bally
1978 Playboy, Bally
1978 Power Play, Bally
1978 Stars, Stern
1979 Count-Down, Gottlieb
1979 Dracula, Stern
1979 Flash, Williams
1979 Genie, Gottlieb
1979 Harlem Globetrotters, Bally
1979 Laser Ball, Williams
1979 Magic, Stern
1979 Meteor, Stern
1979 Solar Ride, Gottlieb
1979 Superman, Atari
1979 Tri Zone, Williams
1980 Buck Rogers, Gottlieb
1980 Circus, Gottlieb
1980 Firepower, Williams
1980 Galaxy, Stern
1980 Nine Ball, Stern
1980 Star Race, Gottlieb
1980 Xenon, Bally
1981 Embryon, Bally
1981 Fathom, Bally
1981 Fireball II, Bally
1981 Flash Gordon, Bally
1981 Jungle Lord, Williams
1982 Rapid Fire, Bally
1982 Striker, Gottlieb
1983 Farfalla, Zaccaria (Italy)
1983 Super Orbit, Gottlieb
1984 Black Pyramid, Bally/Midway
1985 Beat The Clock, Bally/Midway
1985 Fireball Classic, Ballymidway
1986 Motordome, Bally/Midway
1986 Road Kings, Williams
1987 F-14 Tomcat, Williams
1987 Space Station, Williams
1988 Blackwater 100, Bally/Midway
1989 Black Knight, Williams
1989 Earthshaker!, Williams
1989 Robocop, Data East
1990 Dr. Dude, Bally/Midway
1990 Funhouse, Williams
1990 The Simpsons, Data East
1990 Whirlwind, Williams
1991 Cactus Jack’s, Gottlieb
1991 Checkpoint, Data East
1991 Gilligan’s Island, Bally/Midway
1991 Hurricane, Williams
1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Data East
1991 Terminator 2, Williams
1992 Black Rose, Bally/Midway
1992 The Addams Family (3), Bally/Midway
1992 The Getaway High Speed 2 (2), Williams
1993 Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Williams
1993 Twilight Zone, Bally/Midway
1993 Whitewater (2), Williams
1994 Popeye Saves The Earth, Bally/Midway
1994 Red & Ted’s Road Show, Williams
1994 Rescue 911, Gottlieb
1994 World Cup Soccer, Bally/Midway
1995 Attack From Mars (2), Bally/Midway
1995 Theatre Of Magic, Bally/Midway
1996 Flipper Football, Capcom
1997 Medieval Madness, Williams
1998 Cactus Canyon, Bally/Midway
2003 Terminator 3, Stern
2008 The Hellacopters Air Raid Serenades, re-themed from a 1973 Gottlieb King Pin by Wade Krause & Donny Gillies (aka ‘Dirty Donny’)
2013 Metallica (Premium), Stern
2013 Star Trek (Starfleet Pro), Stern
2016 Ghostbusters (Pro), Stern

In summary there were working games from 21 different makers on the floor of PPM Expo 7.

Excluding the games used for the tournaments and the pre-flipper view-only historical games the counts were as follows:

Manufacturer Number of Games Percentage of Total
Atari
Bally
Bally/Midway
Capcom
Chicago Coin
Data East
Dirty Donny/Wade Krauss
Genco
Gottlieb
Interflip
Keeney
Midway
Playmatic
Rally
Recel
Rockola
Segasa
Sonic
Stern
Williams
Zaccaria
1
49
15
1
6
4
1
3
244
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
1
3
13
83
4
0.23
11.2
3.41
0.23
1.36
0.90
0.23
0.68
55.8
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.90
0.68
0.23
0.68
2.95
18.9
0.90
21 manufacturers 440 100

Despite the mind-boggling selection of games available for play at Shoot the Moon, a few attendees managed to find fault. In answer to grumbling from one of the younger attendees about the limited number of games from the current century I overheard a PPM board member patiently explain why:

PPM BOARD MEMBER: “Far fewer machines have come to market since Bally, Williams and Gottlieb’s successors closed their pinball operations at the end of the last century. And, since the PPM is a museum, not an arcade, our focus is on acquiring older, more historic games while they’re still available.

“Besides, many of the games made from 2000 on are in the hands of collectors. And since we rely most heavily upon donations, we don’t expect to receive many games from that era for quite a while.”

SHOOT THE MOON VISITOR: “So why not just buy some newer games?”

PPM BOARD MEMBER:  “From time to time we do. But purchasing large numbers of new games for the PPM collection is cost prohibitive. And, if your main interest is in playing newer games, there are plenty of them available on location, at traditional pinball shows and in individual collections.”


PRE-FLIPPER RARITIES

Another Expo highlight was the display of 34 additional games from the pre-flipper era. Set up for viewing-only they ranged from proto-pinballs and the 1931 origin games Baffle Ball and Bingo, through wartime conversions like the politically incorrect Victory Games’ Smack the Japs to 1947’s Coed, one of Exhibit Supply’s (ESCO’s) last pre-flipper pinballs.

The complete list follows:

1871, Montague Redgrave, Parlor Bagatelle (proto-pinball)
1920, Mills Novelty Company, Target Shooter (proto-pinball)
1931, Bingo Novelty Manufacturing Company, Bingo
1931, Gottlieb, Baffle Ball
1932, Pace Manufacturing Company, Lucky Strike
1932, Mills Novelty Company, Official Pin Table
1932, Skilgames, Inc., Whirlpool
1934, Daval Manufacturing Company, American Beauty
1934, Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company (PAMCO), Contact
1934, PAMCO, Major League
1934, Rockola, World's Series
1937, Bally, Ballyhoo
1938, Mills, One-Two-Three
1938, Stoner Manufacturing Company, Ritz
1938, Bally, Rocket
1939, Exhibit Supply Company (ESCO), Sky-Rocket
1940, Bally, Beauty
1940, Bally, Glamour
1941, Gottlieb, Horoscope
1941, Genco, Jungle
1941, Genco, Metro
1942, Victory Games, Slap the Japs
           (a conversion of Chicago Coin’s 1940 Strat-O-Liner)
1945, Gottlieb, Cover Girl
1947, Bally, Ballyhoo
1947, Exhibit, Coed
1947, Marvel, Lightning
1947, United, Singapore
1947, Exhibit, Treasure Chest
1948, Keeney, Band Leader
1948, Exhibit, Banjo
1948, Williams, Gizmo
1948, United, Serenade
1948, Chicago Coin, Shanghai
1948, Williams, Speedway
1949, Genco, Rip Snorter
1950, Exhibit, Be-Bop

Larry Zartarian peeks over the tops of three more oldies but goodies: Williams 1948 Speed Way, United 1947 Nevada and Genco 1949 Rip Snorter. Photo courtesy of Dan Fontes
Larry Zartarian peeks over the tops of three more oldies but goodies:
Williams 1948 Speed Way, United 1947 Nevada and Genco 1949 Rip Snorter
(Photo courtesy of Dan Fontes)


SHOW HIGHLIGHT TOURS

Each day during the three days of the show PPM docents Larry Zartarian and Dan Miller conducted guided tours of the games on the show floor.

The tours provided an opportunity for attendees to learn about pinball’s evolution, the special significance of landmark games and to ask questions of the PPM’s knowledgeable tour guides. Four floor “highlight” tours were scheduled each day and all were well attended.

Dan Miller gives his audience a preview of what’s in store with his tour
Dan Miller gives his audience a preview of what’s in store with his tour


INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS

PPM’s ingenuity and commitment to teaching through pinball employing STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) was evident in the several interactive exhibits at Shoot the Moon. On display for viewing and play, the Visible Pinball Machine, developed by PPM Founder and Director Michael Schiess and master screen printer, craftsman, inventor and pinball artist Wade Krause, attracted many awed viewers and players!

Uniquely PPM: the “Visible Pinball”. PPM Archives
Uniquely PPM: the 'Visible Pinball'
(PPM Archives)

Artists agree: Jem Gruber and Wade Krause. PPM Archives
Artists agree: Jem Gruber and Wade Krause
(PPM Archives)

In addition to the Visible Pinball, which allows viewers to observe all the internal workings of a 1976 Gottlieb Surf Champ, the following exhibits were available to help attendees understand the design and functioning of many of the most important components of pinball games:

Fun with Pinball’s Mark Gibson and his wife drove all the way from Colorado to share eighteen of his unique 'Small Board' and 3 of his 'Game' displays demonstrating electromechanical pinball functions. The three 'Small Boards' shown below demonstrate the operation of electromagnets, roto-target units and the Gottlieb score motor in EM games.

Mark Gibson’s Electromagnet demonstration board. Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson.
Mark Gibson’s Electromagnet demonstration board
(Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson)

Mark Gibson’s Roto Target demonstration board. Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson
Mark Gibson’s Roto Target demonstration board
(Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson)

Mark Gibson’s Gottlieb Score Motor demonstration board. Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson.
Mark Gibson’s Gottlieb Score Motor demonstration board
(Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson)

Mark’s 'Baseball Game' showed the operation of the classic Williams horizontal man-running unit, while his 'Horseracing Game' revealed the workings of Williams’ very popular chain-driven mechanism used to advance miniature horses, seahorses, speedboats and jalopies across the length of a variety of backbox race courses.

Mark Gibson’s Baseball Game based on Williams’ man-running unit. Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson.
Mark Gibson’s Baseball Game based on Williams’ man-running unit
(Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson)

Mark Gibson’s Horseracing Game based on Williams’ chain-driven, backbox animated race unit. Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson.
Mark Gibson’s Horseracing Game based on Williams’ chain-driven,
backbox animated race unit
(Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson)

Australian Lucas Abela, an experimental musician, performance artist, inventor and founder of Dual Plover Records brought his spectacular sub-bass Bassballs musical instrument/pinball hybrid to Shoot the Moon for all to marvel at and to play!

Lucas Abela proudly displays his unique Bassballs
Lucas Abela proudly displays his unique Bassballs


MAGNIFICENT MURALS

Adding to the tangible sense of excitement that permeated Shoot the Moon were the spectacular displays of pinball backglass murals by local artists that hung from the ceiling of the PPM Annex.

Six of the twelve hanging murals displayed at Shoot the Moon
Six of the twelve hanging murals displayed at Shoot the Moon

Since the PPM’s inception the museum has sought to celebrate and promote pinball art as a uniquely American genre. This commitment has resulted in thirty beautifully rendered, oversized canvases by local artists that recreate iconic pinball backglass art. These magnificent tribute murals range in size from 6,794 square inches to a truly enormous 14,400 (120 x 120 inches) square inches. That’s ten feet by ten feet!

The following twelve oversized backglass murals were on display to engage attendee interest and promote their appreciation of pinball graphics:

1950, Gottlieb, Joker
1951, Gottlieb, Mermaid
1955, Williams, Wonderland
1961, Gottlieb, Corral
1961, Williams, Double Barrel
1964, Gottlieb, Majorettes
1970, Gottlieb, Scuba
1971, Bally, Sea Ray
1971, Gottlieb, 2001
1971, Bally, Double-Up
1975, Gottlieb, El Dorado
1976, Gottlieb, Card Whiz

Many of these murals are now in the hands of private collectors but some remain available for sale by the artists, who generously share the sale proceeds with the PPM. The complete list of Pacific Pinball Museum tribute murals, listed alphabetically by artist, appears below:


THE ARTISTS & THEIR WORK
 

d’Arci Bruno
1970, Bally, Sea Ray
1974, Gottlieb, Out of Sight
1975, Gottlieb, El Dorado
1976, Gottlieb, Card Whiz
1977, Gottlieb, Jungle Princess
1979, Gottlieb, Genie

Artist d’Arci Bruno displays her Bally Sea Ray mural. PPM Archives
Artist d’Arci Bruno displays her Bally Sea Ray mural
(PPM Archives)

Ed Cassel
1950, Gottlieb, Joker
1952, Williams, Domino
1955, Williams, Wonderland
1961, Williams, Double Barrel
1961, Williams, Space Ship
1971, Gottlieb, 2001
1971, Bally, Double Up
1971, Bally, Fireball
1971, Gottlieb, Scuba

Artist Ed Cassel at work on his Williams Domino. PPM Archives
Artist Ed Cassel at work on his Williams Domino
(PPM Archives)

Dan Fontes
1939, Exhibit, Golden
1939, Exhibit, Zip
1951, Gottlieb, Mermaid
1952, Gottlieb, Queen of Hearts
1954, Williams, Skyway
1958, United, Sky Raiders (rifle game)
1960, Gottlieb, Flipper
1961, Gottlieb, Corral
1963, Bally, Star Jet
1964, Gottlieb, Majorettes

Artist Dan Fontes puts the finishing touches on his Gottlieb Mermaid. PPM Archives
Artist Dan Fontes puts the finishing touches on his Gottlieb Mermaid
(PPM Archives)

Eric Kos
1974, Gottlieb, Out of Sight
1975, Gottlieb, El Dorado
1976, Gottlieb, Card Whiz
1977, Gottlieb, Jungle Princess
1979, Gottlieb, Genie

Artist Eric Kos as he develops his Gottlieb Out of Sight mural. PPM Archives
Artist Eric Kos as he develops his Gottlieb Out of Sight mural
(PPM Archives)

Multi-Artist Cooperative Effort
The large mural that covers the wall in the Pacific Pinball Museum’s 'Vintage Room'

PPM wall mural with artists Ed Cassel, Dan Fontes, Eric Kos and PPM Board members David Volansky & Larry Zartarian. PPM Archives
PPM wall mural with artists Ed Cassel, Dan Fontes, Eric Kos
and PPM Board members David Volansky & Larry Zartarian
(PPM Archives)


LIL’ JU JU TRAVELING PINBALL MUSEUM

Another treat, especially for first-time PPM Exposition visitors, was the presence on the show floor of the converted Spartan Manor trailer, the PPM’s traveling exhibit known fondly as the Lil’ Ju Ju.

Tucked inside were the following five Gottlieb pinball machines available for play: Aquarius, Big Brave, Jacks Open, Jungle Princess and 2001. Not to mention the well-stocked, 1969 Seeburg Golden Jet jukebox to set the proper nostalgic mood!

The PPM’s “traveling museum” the Lil’ Ju Ju. PPM Archives
The PPM’s 'traveling museum' the Lil’ Ju Ju
(PPM Archives)

The Lil’ Ju Ju enables the PPM’s growing outreach to individuals, schools and other institutions and communities unable to visit the PPM proper. Like the time-honored book mobiles, the PPM’s traveling museum makes its periodic rounds to neighborhoods and events where it can spread the PPM’s message of pinball art, history, science and unrivalled entertainment.


SEMINARS

PPM Director and Speaker Program Coordinator Ron Chan does a last-minute sound check. PPM Archives
PPM Director and Speaker Program Coordinator Ron Chan
does a last-minute sound check
(Pinball News archives)

In a continuing effort to inform and educate about as many aspects of pinball as possible Shoot the Moon also featured a diverse agenda of seminars and video presentations.

Chris Kuntz shares tips on keeping EM’s running right. PPM Archives
Chris Kuntz shares tips on keeping EM’s running right
(Pinball News archives)

Master pinball mechanic Chris Kuntz, owner of pinball repair and sales company Pinball Pirate, delivered his 'how-to' seminar My EM Doesn’t Work! What Now? once each day during the Expo, sharing tips and shortcuts drawn from years of experience as a pinball troubleshooter and repair expert.

'Bear' Kamoroff provides valuable insights into pinball ownership
'Bear' Kamoroff provides valuable insights into pinball ownership

During Saturday’s show, author and publisher Bernard “Bear” Kamoroff provided pinball owners and wannabees with invaluable advice on How to Buy and Maintain a Pinball Machine. The 3rd Edition of his best-selling book Pinball Machine Care and Maintenance, published by the Pacific Pinball Museum, sold briskly at the PPM table.

Michael Schiess and Larry Zartarian greet Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer Herrera prior to delivering one of their PPM update presentations
Michael Schiess and Larry Zartarian greet Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer Herrera prior to delivering one of their PPM update presentations

PPM Founder and Director Michael Schiess and PPM Treasurer and Board President Larry Zartarian gave a daily presentation Everything You Wanted to Know About the Pacific Pinball Museum covering the history, growth and ambitious future plans for the PPM.

In addition to restating their resolve to become the “Smithsonian of pinball”, they shared the progress made toward occupying Alameda’s 1902 Carnegie Library building as the PPM’s permanent home, as well as plans to launch two major pinball events each year in their expansive PPM Annex.

The Alameda Carnegie Library is never far from the mind of PPM Founder Michael Schiess! PPM Archives
The Alameda Carnegie Library is never far from the mind of
PPM Founder Michael Schiess!
(PPM Archives)

Mike and Larry revealed that, for the first time, the PPM was able to set up, on a permanent basis, a significant portion of their entire collection in the new PPM Annex. In addition to being able to display more than 500 working and restored games at any point in time, the 45,000 square foot Annex provides ample room for a workshop and restoration area as well as organized storage for the remainder of the museum’s rapidly expanding collection.

Awaiting restoration and a place in the PMM’s all star line-up
Awaiting restoration and a place in the PMM’s all-star line-up

In addition to their plan to host two major pinball shows each year, the PPM envisions renting the Annex to individuals celebrating special occasions and to companies seeking a unique and engaging venue for parties, team-building, mixers, receptions and other corporate events.

 Pinball writer, collector and historian Gordon Hasse offers a sneak preview of his upcoming book
Pinball writer, collector and historian Gordon Hasse offers a
sneak preview of his upcoming book

Appealing to those with an interest in the 'Golden Age' of pinball as well as the merely curious, each day of the Expo Gordo presented the graphic seminar The Crest of Pinball’s Golden Age: 1954 and the Games of D. Gottlieb. The presentation explored the impact of popular culture on pinball theme development and a detailed discussion of Roy Parker’s artwork on four exceptional D. Gottlieb games released that year.

A group of ladies grace the gallery
A group of ladies grace the gallery

The presentation was a preview of Gordo’s about-to-be published book on all thirteen Gottlieb games from that memorable year. If you’re interested in knowing when it will be available drop him an e-mail at [email protected].

Larry Zartarian removes the original shipping block from one of Wayne Neyen’s wedgeheads. PPM Archives
Larry Zartarian removes the original shipping block from
one of Wayne Neyen’s wedgeheads
(PPM Archives)

Larry Zartarian interviews Wayne Neyens. PPM Archives
Larry Zartarian interviews Wayne Neyens
(PPM Archives)

1949 Gottlieb College Daze. The first game from master designer Wayne Neyens. Gordon Hasse Collection
1949 Gottlieb College Daze - the first game from master designer Wayne Neyens
(Gordon Hasse Collection)

Producer Will White, the man behind the Neyens video. PPM Archives
Producer Will White, the man behind the Neyens video
(PPM Archives)

A video tribute, An Interview with Pinball Designer Wayne Neyens, was screened for attendees each evening. The interview format hosted by PPM Board President Larry Zartarian proved to be an ideal approach revealing fascinating details of pinball’s most prolific and successful designer’s experiences during his more than 50 year career.

Almost solely responsible for 177 Gottlieb pinball designs from 1949 through 1976, during the decade of the 1950s Neyens produced an unending string of popular and profitable games at the astonishing rate of roughly one game per month! This classic video, a Will White production, is part of the PPM’s ongoing, archival Pioneers of Pinball series.  


VENDORS

A number of vendors set up at the show offering a wide array of products and merchandise.

  • Jonathan Joosten’s Pinball Magazine
  • Marco Specialties - Everything Pinball™
  • Pacific Pinball Museum
  • Rob Anthony’s Lock When Lit
  • Rob Hawkins & Don Mueting’s Pinball Collectors Resource

In addition there were approximately a dozen pinball machines for sale at the show by various individuals.


AUCTIONS

PPM patrons and local area merchants generously contributed many unique items to be auctioned off during the course of the show.

A 1975 Bally Wizard! crossed the block at $3,000. A Panic City neon sign donated by Rhino Records founder Richard Foos: a large, revolving Lone Star Beer 'Monkey Display' and many 'baskets of cheer' found new homes at the end of a separate silent auction.

Donors and local merchants generously provided an interesting array of items for the silent auction
Donors and local merchants generously provided an interesting array of items
for the silent auction

Master of Ceremonies, Auctioneer and community booster Chuck DiGuida appears with Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer Herrera
Master of Ceremonies, Auctioneer and community booster Chuck DiGuida
appears with Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer Herrera


RAFFLE

PPM Board Member Jim Strehlow donated a brand new Stern Ghostbusters to be raffled off during the show!

PPM Director Jim Strehlow with the brand new Ghostbusters
PPM Director Jim Strehlow with the brand new Ghostbusters

Jim’s generous gift resulted in the sale of more than $10,000 worth of tickets and the lucky winner was John Mayo, shown here with his new GHOSTBUSTERS.

$25 a pop and the winner is…
$25 a pop and the winner is…

Lucky raffle winner John Mayo with PPM Founder Michael Schiess
Lucky raffle winner John Mayo with PPM Founder Michael Schiess


PINBALL A LA CARTE

Show attendees enjoyed catered specialties from Chef Rutilio 'Rudy' Fanetti-Durance’s C'Era Una Volta - Ristorante Italiano. In addition, a broad selection of local wines and craft beers gave visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the best of the Bay Area’s local fare.

PMM Directors Brand Grant and Michael Schiess enjoy dinner-on-the-run
PMM Directors Brand Grant and Michael Schiess enjoy dinner-on-the-run


TOURNAMENTS

Three different tournaments took place during the show. The tournament games shown below, reflected the design challenges of three distinct eras. All tournament entries were free with admission to the show!

Tournament Machines

1947, Williams, Torchy
1954, Gottlieb, 4-Belles
1961, Gottlieb, Egg Head
1976, Gottlieb, Royal Flush
1980, Stern, Galaxy
1991, Williams, Terminator 2
2001, Stern, High Roller Casino
2016, Stern, Ghostbusters Pro

A different tournament was held each day directed by Echa Schneider, under the auspices of the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA).

The woodrail tournament took place on Friday, November 11 and the winners were:

Woodrail Tournament
1
2
3=
3=
3=
Dan Dempsey, Walnut Creek, CA
Eric Finke
Andrei Massenkoff, San Francisco, CA
Masha Dare
Jared Garvey, Berkeley, CA

The 1960s and later electro-mechanical tournament took place on Saturday, November 12th and the winners were:

1960s Tournament
1
2
3
Karl Lind, Portland, Oregon
Jack Slovacek
Alex Lambert, Roseville, CA

The Solid State & DMD tournament took place on Sunday, November 13th and the winners were:

1960s Tournament
1
2
3
Damien Charléty, Chambéry, France
Per Schwarzenberger, San Francisco, CA
Robin Lassonde, Berkeley, CA
(currently ranked #1 qualifier for the IFPA California State Championship)

Solid State & DMD Tournament Winners Per Schwartzenberger, Damien Charléty and Robin Lassonde
Solid State & DMD Tournament Winners Per Schwartzenberger, Damien Charléty and Robin Lassonde

 
VISITOR RESPONSES

Follow-up surveys with Shoot the Moon attendees found that 99% of those polled who visited the show would come to the next PPM Exposition event.

Of those who took the guided show tours, 85% reported that they exceeded their expectations and, among seminar attendees, 65% reported that the sessions they attended exceeded their expectations.

Given the limited advance notice of the show the overwhelming majority of the more than 1,000 attendees came from the local San Francisco Bay Area.

An encouraging 52 attendees offered to serve as volunteers at the next PPM Expo.

Perhaps most interesting of all, 57% of those polled did NOT own a pinball machine! This surprising statistic served to validate that interest in the multiple objectives of the PPM and its variety of activities reaches well beyond the 'pinhead' community!

From the perspective of the PPM’s Board of Directors, this was a most satisfying and successful show, providing the impetus for even more exciting events in the future.


WHAT LIES AHEAD?

Given the success of Shoot the Moon, the PPM Board of Directors has tentatively planned for two PPM Expos each year from this point on.

The new Annex provides them with requisite space for individuals and companies to stage parties, celebrations, corporate and team-building events – any function seeking lots of fun and lots of space!

Revenues from these and other PPM-sponsored events will go toward the carrying and operating costs of the Annex and the continuing Carnegie Library fund-raising effort.

The new Annex provides ample space for an accelerated restoration program allowing more rare and desirable games to be made ready for play on a timely basis. Former problems of space for games, parts, and restoration tools and equipment have now been eliminated!

The Annex also permits the PPM to expand their STEM-based educational programs using pinball as a vehicle to teach art, history and science.

Those interested in becoming involved with the Pacific Pinball Museum as a donor, volunteer, or local point-of-contact in your area can email founder & Director Michael Schiess at [email protected]

For more information regarding the Pacific Pinball Museum and its many initiatives visit: www.pacificpinball.org  


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