1960

Add-A-Ball: “Flipper” (Gottlieb).

In 1960, Gottlieb’s “Flipper” becomes one of the early Add-A-Ball pinball machines.

The game introduces a new concept: instead of winning free games, players can earn additional balls (“Add-A-Ball”).

 

This system was designed mainly for regions where free replays were restricted or prohibited by law.
By completing certain targets or scoring combinations, players could add extra balls to the game.
This extended the playing time and increased the strategic element of gameplay.
The machine also featured a control layout with two flippers at the bottom of the playfield.
These flippers gave players a much more direct control over the ball.
The machine’s name – “Flipper” – later became the common term for pinball machines in many languages.
The combination of flipper control and Add-A-Ball gameplay made the machine highly innovative.
Many later machines adopted similar gameplay mechanics and scoring concepts.
Today, “Flipper” is considered an important milestone in pinball history.