Inventor of the Two-Flipper Pinball Machine Dies

The New York Times has an obituary of Steve Kordek, the inventor of the modern pinball machine design, who died recently at age 100. He had an illustrious career which began by chance when he stumbled into the Genco company's lobby to avoid a rainstorm. It is worth reading, and gives interesting insight into the history of pinball. Before he came along pinball machines had six flippers. He came up with the 2-flipper system and supplying direct current to the flippers which allowed for more precise ball control.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/business/steve-kordek-innovator-of-pinball-game-dies-at-100.html

Drag, I've always been a pinball guy.

There were several pinball machines at my local pool hall and bowling alley when I was growing up. They cost a dime per game, or 3 games for a quarter. But you could win free games if you scored high enough. When you won a game there was a loud, pop! And there was no limit, you could win as many games as you were able before finally loosing. The machines were not replaced or switched out very often, so we got real good at beating them. Like video games you could play them enough to master them, and so really rack up the free games. Put in a quarter and play for hours! I remember walking away from machines with 5 or 6 games on them because were were bored with beating it, lol.

I've played many a pinball machine, especially in my younger years. RIP.

You can't say he didn't live a long life. You're super lucky if you live to a 100! RIP good sir, I still love playing pinball machines whenever I see one!

@tadros said:

You can't say he didn't live a long life. You're super lucky if you live to a 100! RIP good sir, I still love playing pinball machines whenever I see one!

Luck has nothing to do with it.

@BigChickenDinner: I know modern medicine has come a long way, but it's not like the average life expectancy is 100! haha