The Pinball Expo '88 tour arrives at Williams Electronics, Inc. A technician solders parts on a Williams Taxi playfield. Williams Taxi pinball machines undergo test and burn-in before shipment.

A highlight of Pinball Expo '88 was the tour of the Williams Electronics pinball machine factory. We watched metal parts fabrication, playfield construction, component wiring, cabinet assembly, final testing, and crating for shipment. The two dozen photos that accompany this story show how raw materials were transformed into Williams Taxi pinball machines.

Players filled the Pinhead Gallery at the National Pinball Museum in Baltimore. National Pinball Museum founder David Silverman greets visitors on opening day.

Hundreds of visitors played pinball on opening day at the National Building Museum's new location in Baltimore. The new location offers a little more space to play pinball and a little less space for historical displays. The crowd was very enthusiastic, with many people staying all day.

Volunteers wrap a pinball game at the National Pinball Museum. Half the pinball games were ready to move at the National Pinball Museum. Volunteers remove legs from a pinball game at the National Pinball Museum.

Volunteers and staff worked feverishly at the National Pinball Museum to prepare hundreds of pinball games and rooms full of historic exhibits for a forced move out of their leased space in Washington, DC. More than half the games were ready to go just five days after the museum closed to the public.

Games in storage at the National Pinball Museum. Games await restoration at the National Pinball Museum.

WTOP news radio, the Washington Post, and other news outlets reported this week that the National Pinball Museum lost its lease and must vacate its Georgetown Mall space by mid-July. Museum founder and curator David Silverman stated that the museum would seek a new location.

The Kronespillet HD app for iPads models the Ray T6 made in Finland. The Kronespillet HD game rotates to reveal a leaderboard on the back. The Kronespillet HD splash screen mimics the back of the wooden cabinet. The Kronespillet app for iPhones models the Ray T5.

Norwegian software developer, Apps AS, has satisfied my 45-year desire to play kronespill, Norway's flick-a-coin game. Now I can play a Ray T6 with their Kronespillet HD app for the iPad or a Ray T5 with their Kronespillet apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android.

I am ready to load an AMI G-80 jukebox into my Volkswagen Passat. My father and I tip the AMI G-80 jukebox into my Volkswagen Passat. My father and I prepare to slide the AMI G-80 jukebox into my Volkswagen Passat. My father and I close the Passat's cargo door with the AMI G-80 jukebox inside.

When I was ready to move my AMI G-80 jukebox from my parent's house to my own, I wondered if it would really fit into my 1991 Volkswagen Passat station wagon. We measured carefully before we wheeled the jukebox out to the car. It just fit.

David Silverman opens the gates to the National Pinball Museum. Guests entered the National Pinball Museum between giant flippers. Wayne Neyens describe his first pinball machine design, College Daze. An exhibit of the art of Stan Fukuoka featured three playable Capcom games.

The National Pinball Museum opened to the public on December 4, 2010. Shortly after 10 AM, curator David Silverman unlocked the gates to allow a small crowd to enter. Soon visitors were exploring the history of pinball and playing dozens of games in the pay-to-play and exhibit areas.

An invitation to the National Pinball Museum Grand Opening Reception. National Pinball Museum curator David Silverman at the Grand Opening Reception. Guests explore the National Pinball Museum at the Grand Opening Reception. Guests try the "Pay to Play" games at the National Pinball Museum.

Supporters gathered tonight for their first look at the newly completed National Pinball Museum during a gala Grand Opening Reception. Museum founder and curator David Silverman explained his vision for the museum and led tours through the historical exhibits. The museum opens on Saturday, December 4, 2010.

The progress since Tuesday night, when I last volunteered, was amazing. The construction and painting was completed. All of the construction dust was gone. The games were gleaming. Most of the wood rail games were lit for display. The historical exhibit rooms had their games and props in place. The pay-to-play room contained about 40 games ready to go.

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