# Past Times Pinball History Ep 17: Vagabond **Source:** Past Times Arcade **Type:** video **Published:** 2024-03-27 **Duration:** 1m 55s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi9cpSeBBtI --- ## Analysis Past Times Arcade presents a historical deep-dive into the 1962 Williams Vagabond, designed by Steve Cordak with only 600 units produced. The video highlights Vagabond's significance as the first pinball game featuring a directly-hittable disappearing drop target, distinguishing it from earlier Gottlieb games (1951) that used drop targets as animation effects behind stationary targets. The gameplay centers on advancing steps to light an add-a-ball feature by knocking down the Vagabond target. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Vagabond was designed by Steve Cordak — _Direct statement in opening of video segment_ - [HIGH] Only 600 units of Vagabond were produced — _Explicitly stated early in presentation_ - [HIGH] Vagabond (1962) was the very first game with a directly-hittable disappearing drop target — _Host emphasizes this as 'most historically significant' feature; contrasts with earlier Gottlieb implementation_ - [MEDIUM] Gottlieb released Minstrel Man and Wild West in 1951 with drop targets that appeared behind stationary targets — _Host states this as historical context, but no independent verification provided in content_ - [HIGH] Vagabond is an add-a-ball game where hitting the lit target awards an extra ball — _Host demonstrates and explains gameplay mechanic directly_ - [MEDIUM] The name 'Vagabond' refers to a hobo, similar to Leon Livingston 'the Rambler' — _Host provides historical context but doesn't cite sources for this connection_ ### Notable Quotes > "This game is most historically significant because it is the very first game with a disappearing drop target." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:20 > _Core historical claim establishing Vagabond's place in pinball history_ > "In 1951, Gottlieb released two games: Minstrel Man and Wild West that had a drop target also. However, that drop target appeared behind a stationary target, so you'd hit the stationary target and it would drop behind it, more so like an animation. Whereas this is the very first target that you actually hit directly." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:35 > _Detailed explanation of the technical distinction that makes Vagabond historically significant_ > "Your goal is to increase or advance the steps until you have this lit, and this is an add-a-ball game." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~1:00 > _Explains core gameplay objective and machine type_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Williams | company | Manufacturer of Vagabond pinball machine (1962) | | Steve Cordak | person | Designer of 1962 Williams Vagabond | | Vagabond | game | 1962 Williams pinball machine; historically significant for first direct-hit disappearing drop target; 600 units produced | | Gottlieb | company | Historical pinball manufacturer; released Minstrel Man and Wild West in 1951 with drop target animation mechanic | | Leon Livingston | person | Historical figure known as 'the Rambler'; cultural reference for understanding 'vagabond' terminology | | Past Times Arcade | company | Arcade/museum operator producing this historical documentary video series; hosts Vagabond machine | | Minstrel Man | game | 1951 Gottlieb game with drop target animation effect (not direct-hit) | | Wild West | game | 1951 Gottlieb game with drop target animation effect (not direct-hit) | ### Topics - **Primary:** Pinball history and technological innovation, Drop target mechanism evolution, 1960s pinball design and manufacturing - **Secondary:** Add-a-ball game mechanics, Reverse wedge head backbox design, Williams vs Gottlieb manufacturing comparison ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0.5) — Content is educational and informational in tone; host presents historical facts with mild enthusiasm about the machine's significance; no critical stance or strong emotional valence ### Signals - **[historical_signal]** Detailed historical documentation of significant mechanical innovation (first direct-hit drop target) in early 1960s pinball design (confidence: high) — Host explicitly identifies Vagabond as 'most historically significant' for this feature and contrasts it with earlier Gottlieb implementations --- ## Transcript [Music] in this episode of past 's pinball history we're going to feature this 1962 Williams Vagabond this was designed by Steve cordak they only made 600 units of these this is called Vagabond because that is another name for a hobo sort of like Leon Livingston the Rambler if you're not familiar with him interesting character you can see that this is in a backbox called reverse wedge head we have a few of those here if you want to pan down check out a few of those but this game is most historically significant because it is the very first game with a disappearing drop Target now this is 1962 in 1951 gotle released two games minstral man and wild west that had a drop Target also however that drop Target appeared behind a stationary Target so You' hit the stationary Target and it would drop behind it more so like an animation whereas this is the very first Target that you actually hit directly so come on up here and let's see how this game works your goal is to increase or Advance the steps until you have this lit and this is an out ofall game so John Youssi here that it says extra ball when lit you knock it down we're going to hear that wooden knock that lets you know that you earn an extra ball if the Vagabond is not up you hit one of these side kickouts it'll raise him back up you're going to increase it again in order to knock down this hobo here to complete an addaball so come on in check out this 1962 Vagabond along with these other reverse wedge heads at pastimes [Music] arcade _(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 24124ddd-b862-449f-8515-f69642c35ad9*