Giuliano Lodola

Giuliano Lodola was an independent Italian pinball designer and manufacturer based in Avenza, active from 1978 to 1981, known for producing small-batch electromechanical and early solid-state hybrid machines that adapted American titles for the Italian market. Operating under his own name, Lodola produced distinctive machines—notable examples include Golden Arrow (1978), Giunone (1978), Rocky Girl (1979), and Black Rider (1981)—often reworking layouts and themes from Gottlieb, Bally, and Williams while altering artwork, rules, and add-a-ball features to suit local regulations and tastes. His workshop-scale operation embraced bold, sometimes risqué backglass art and inventive mechanical modifications, reflecting the creative, decentralized nature of late-1970s European pinball and making his limited runs highly sought-after by collectors and restorers. Although Lodola's business ended around 1981 as video games rose and larger manufacturers dominated the market, his compact catalog remains an important and rare chapter in Italian pinball history for enthusiasts, collectors, and museums.