# Episode 151 - Flip Flags **Source:** For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast **Type:** podcast_episode **Published:** 2015-08-09 **Duration:** 3m 49s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/episode-151-flip-flags --- ## Analysis Nick Baldridge discusses flip flags, a unique mechanical toy feature used in a handful of Bally EM flipper games starting with Wizard. He identifies Flip Flop and Slapstick as flip flag games, notes Slapstick's extremely limited production (85 units) and status as Bally's last single-player EM machine, and speculates that patent protection and the industry's transition to solid-state technology limited the feature's adoption. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Flip flags were only used in a handful of Bally games, starting with Wizard — _Nick Baldridge, host/historian, speaking from expertise on EM pinball history_ - [MEDIUM] Slapstick had a production run of only 85 units — _Nick Baldridge stating specific production number; not independently verified in content_ - [MEDIUM] Slapstick was the last single-player EM that Bally ever made — _Nick Baldridge claiming historical fact; not independently verified in content_ - [LOW] Flip flags were likely protected by patents, limiting their use by other manufacturers — _Nick Baldridge speculating; explicitly states 'I'm not sure. I haven't looked them up'_ - [HIGH] After Slapstick (1975), Bally moved on to experimenting with solid-state technology, making flip flags obsolete — _Nick Baldridge, citing industry timeline and technological transition_ ### Notable Quotes > "Flip flags were only used in a handful of games starting with Bally's Wizard. A flip flag is essentially the size and shape of a domino and in its default position..." > — **Nick Baldridge**, early in episode > _Defines and introduces the core subject of the episode_ > "Slapstick has a very very low production of 85 units and it was the last single player EM that Ballie ever made" > — **Nick Baldridge**, mid-episode > _Key historical claim about Slapstick's rarity and significance in Bally's EM lineup_ > "I for one wish Bally had continued producing games with flip flags or any other manufacturer would have picked that up. However, it was probably protected by patents." > — **Nick Baldridge**, mid-episode > _Expresses personal opinion on lost design opportunities and speculates on patent protection_ > "After slapstick came out in 1975 had moved on to experimenting with Solid State. And so the days of the flip flag were pretty well numbered as you could do all that with a controlled light on the playfield." > — **Nick Baldridge**, late episode > _Explains the technological and market context that made flip flags obsolete_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Nick Baldridge | person | Host and historian of 'For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast'; provides historical expertise on EM pinball technology and Bally games | | Bally | company | Major historical pinball manufacturer; developed flip flag technology and featured it in EM games like Wizard and Slapstick | | Wizard | game | Bally EM pinball game; first game to use flip flags according to Nick Baldridge | | Flip Flop | game | Bally EM pinball game featuring flip flags; one of a handful of games with this mechanical feature | | Slapstick | game | Bally EM pinball game with flip flags; extremely limited production (85 units); claimed to be Bally's last single-player EM machine (1975) | | For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast | organization | Podcast series hosted by Nick Baldridge covering EM pinball history, toys, and mechanisms | ### Topics - **Primary:** Flip flags (mechanical toy/feature), Bally EM pinball game design and history, Slapstick rarity and production history - **Secondary:** Transition from EM to solid-state pinball technology, Patent protection in pinball machine design, Playfield toy design and innovation in EM era ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0) ### Signals - **[historical_signal]** Documentation of flip flags as a limited mechanical feature in Bally EM games, with Slapstick marking the end of an era before solid-state transition (confidence: high) — Nick Baldridge's detailed analysis of flip flag games and the timeline of Bally's technological shift after 1975 - **[design_innovation]** Flip flags represent a specific mechanical innovation used sparingly in EM pinball; domino-sized moving toys that enhanced player experience (confidence: high) — Description of flip flag design and its use across a handful of Bally games starting with Wizard - **[content_signal]** Episode 151 of 'For Amusement Only' continues an ongoing series on Bally's EM contributions, focusing on playfield toys and mechanisms (confidence: high) — Nick Baldridge explicitly states 'I wanted to continue in my series on Bally's contributions to the E.M. Flipper games' - **[regulatory_signal]** Speculation that flip flag design may have been patent-protected, potentially limiting adoption by other manufacturers and successors (confidence: low) — Nick Baldridge: 'However, it was probably protected by patents. I'm not sure. I haven't looked them up.' - **[collector_signal]** Slapstick identified as extremely rare with only 85 units produced, making it a notable collectible among EM enthusiasts (confidence: medium) — Nick Baldridge states 'Slapstick has a very very low production of 85 units' --- ## Transcript My name is Nicholas Baldridge Today I wanted to continue in my series on Bally's contributions to the E.M. Flipper games, and the unique playfield toys and my toy that they developed. Today I wanted to continue in my series on Bally's contributions to the E.M. Flipper games, and the unique playfield Toys and Mechanisms that they developed. So today I want to talk about flip flags. Flip flags were only used in a handful of games starting with Bally's Wizard. A flip flag is essentially the size and shape of a domino and in its default position in Operator Meal Th strategist Meal a item NO 2 3 .. .. ..erd personality student lady doctors Cap 색ose Daily police finger crapmanrang Flip flag games one called Flip Flop and one calledSlapstick Slapstick has a very very low production of 85 units and it was the last single player EM that Ballie ever made I for one wish Bally had continued producing games with flip flags or any other manufacturer would have picked that up. However, it was probably protected by patents. I'm not sure. I haven't looked them up. In Bali after slapstick came out in 1975 had moved on to experimenting with Solid State. And so the days of the flip flag were pretty well numbered as you could do all that with a controlled light on the playfield. It's not as enticing to the player, but it's certainly easier to program. Well, that's all for tonight. Thank you very much for joining me. My name again is Nicholas Baldridge. You can reach me at 4amusementonlypodcast at gmail.com. And you can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Pocket Cast, via RSS, on Facebook, on Twitter at bingopodcast. You can follow me on Instagram at nbaldridge, where you can listen to us on our website, which is foramusementonly.libsyn.com. If you'd like to call me, you can reach me at 724-BINGOS1. That's 724-246-4671. Thank you very much for listening, and I'll talk to you next time. _(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: fbc39345-3245-448d-beef-91e2bc967fd8*