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David Hankin

personactive8 mentionsFirst seen Sep 9, 2018Last seen Nov 4, 2025

Profile

David Hankin is an Australian pinball industry pioneer and founder of Hankin Pinball (also known as Hankin & Co. and Hankin and Company Manufacturing Limited). He established an arcade in Newcastle, Australia in the late 1970s and is believed to be the uncredited designer of the company's pinball machines. Hankin is noted for his contributions to pinball innovation and notably contacted George Lucas personally to secure licensing for the Empire Strikes Back pinball machine.

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Claims (1)

  • factualhigh

    David Hankin was the first and only pinball manufacturer in Australia, starting in 1978 after being denied supply by Allied Leisure monopoly

    Source: Stephen SmithAustralian Pinball: The Story About Hankin - Pinball Expo 2024 - Stephen Smith

Recent Mentions (8)

  • Historical Australian pinball manufacturer; referenced as precedent for Australian pride in pinball manufacturing

    Pinball Oz Wide - Episode 10 Haggis is back on the MenuNov 4, 2025
  • Australian cabinet gaming company that produced Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back pinball machine (~350 units, early 1980s); known for distinctive backglass art

    Stranger Things Pinball v0.94 800+ MILLION!Jun 16, 2020
  • Owner of Hankin pub sites business; Hankin is a well-known Australian brand; collaborated with Kalinowski to remake original Hankin video game tables

    Mike Kalinowski - Vancouver Flipout Pinball Expo 2018Sep 9, 2018
  • Founder of Hankin Pinball, Australia's only domestic pinball manufacturer (1978–1980); still active in pinball community; designed and manufactured five pinball games with ~1,300 units total

    Australian Pinball: The Story About Hankin - Pinball Expo 2024 - Stephen SmithOct 18, 2024
  • Founder/operator of Hankin Pinball manufacturing company in Newcastle, Australia; operated Orbit One arcade; now reclusive but community icon for Australian pinball history

    The Aussie Pinball Podcast Ep 9: Chris SlevinSep 1, 2022
  • Owner and founder of Hankin and Company Manufacturing Limited; believed to be designer of Hankin pinball machines (uncredited)

Contradictions

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Silverball Chronicles Ep 42: Hankerin' For Some Hankin Plus Mr. PinballJan 7, 2025
  • Owner and founder of Hankin & Co., believed to have designed the company's pinball machines (uncredited). Opened an arcade in Newcastle, Australia in the late 1970s.

    Pinball Down Under Part 2: Hankerin' For Some Hankin + Mr. PinballJan 8, 2025
  • Founder of Hankin Pinball (Australia); pioneering manufacturer; personally contacted George Lucas for Empire Strikes Back licensing; humble about industry innovations like free games calculator

    Are Barrels (Of) Fun?Mar 4, 2025