Episode 98 - Evolution of the Flipper
Podcast
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
1 hr 3 min
Summary
Wedgehead explores 75 years of flipper evolution from Humpty Dumpty to modern solid-state design.
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast hosts Alan and Alex explore the 75-year history of the flipper, from its 1947 invention by Harry Mabs on Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty through modern solid-state designs. They trace technical evolution across manufacturers including voltage transitions (AC to DC, 24V to 48V), coil design innovations (dual-wound to single-wound), and control systems (mechanical switches to MOSFET transistors). Key discussion includes Gottlieb's slow adoption of industry standards, Data East's 1990 RoboCop debut of solid-state flippers, and alternate designs like banana flippers.
Highlights
- Harry Mabs invented the flipper in 1947 on Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty game
- Humpty Dumpty had six flippers facing backwards, controlled by only two solenoids
- Gottlieb's Just 21 (1950) was first to orient flippers to face each other (modern orientation)
- Williams introduced three-inch flippers on Hay Burners 2 in 1968, replacing two-inch standard
- Gottlieb remained on 24-volt AC flipper power until 1989 System 3, while other manufacturers switched to 48-volt DC in late 1970s/early 1980s
- Data East debuted first single-wound flipper coil in 1989, using MOSFET transistors for voltage control
- RoboCop (1990) was first Data East game with solid-state flippers using 40-millisecond pulse and no end-of-stroke switch
- Williams switched to Fliptronic system in 1992, mimicking Data East but continuing dual-wound coils
- Banana flippers came on Williams games Time Works and Disco Fever; were curved and expensive to manufacture
- Solid-state flipper transition eliminated tap pass finesse control available in mechanical switch era
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