SYSK Selects: How Pinball Works

# Stuff You Should Know: Pinball

Josh and Chuck dive deep into the surprisingly fascinating history of pinball, from its origins as a 19th-century parlor game to its modern renaissance. They explore how pinball was actually illegal in most major U.S. cities for decades due to moral panic and gambling concerns, until a young magazine editor named Roger Sharp proved to New York City Council that it was a game of skill by sinking a perfect shot during a hearing. The episode covers the evolution of the machine itself, including the crucial addition of flippers in 1947, the rise and fall of pinball's popularity as video games emerged, and how the industry is now experiencing a surprising comeback with new manufacturers entering the market for the first time in years.