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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
