Alvin Gottlieb was a pioneering pinball designer, manufacturer, and executive who served as founder of Alvin G. and Company and son of David Gottlieb, the legendary founder of Gottlieb pinball. Throughout his career, he conceived innovative multi-player concepts like the Challenger two-player EM machine and was heavily involved in industry philanthropy, notably helping create Gottlieb Hospital. As a Premier/Gottlieb executive, he was instrumental in supporting the pinball community through Pinball Expo from its inception in 1985 and remained a respected figure who bridged manufacturer relationships despite the industry's traditionally competitive culture.
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Alvin Gottlieb believed in two-player pinball concept and had it produced multiple times
The transition from bingo machines (gambling) to flipper machines (skill) was pivotal in pinball's legal legitimacy
The original D. Gottlieb founder's story about an uncle's inheritance was actually a recurring joke Alvin Gottlieb would tell, not a factual event
Family friend of DeMar from Oak Park, Illinois; grandson of Gottlieb pinball founder; DeMar played pinball in his basement as a child
Founder of Gottlieb pinball; keynote speaker at inaugural 1985 Expo; helped validate Berk's vision for the event
Pinball game designer; creator of games discussed (Tony Latougas); known for spinner designs that Dave dislikes
Early video game and pinball company where Thiel worked as sound designer in early 1980s; owned video division; later referenced in context of hex entry audio composition
Founder/leader of Alvin G. and Company; historically vocal about amusement devices not being used for gambling; made Watch My Line in 1951 despite anti-gambling stance.
Inventor of the bumper (jet bumper/pop bumper) in 1948 according to episode
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No linked glossary terms
Alvin Gottlieb passed away approximately 10 years before the 2023 Expo (around 2013)
Alvin Gottlieb was reluctant to speak with outsiders about the pinball business until Roger Sharpe established personal connection
Alvin Gottlieb was consultant who helped write the statute for the United States Congress regarding amusement machines
Alvin Gottlieb sold the Gottlieb company to Columbia Pictures in 1976
Alvin Gottlieb testified at 1961 Illinois Senate hearings that Bally had organized crime connections and implied the company was taken over by 'sinister principals' after Ray Moloney's death
Alvin Gottlieb was very vocal about amusement devices not being used for gambling purposes.
The bumper was invented in 1948 by Alvin Gottlieb
Son of David Gottlieb, co-designer of the Add-a-Ball concept with Wayne Ness
Historical pinball manufacturer, discussed in comparison to other manufacturers; late 1970s games considered fun
Appears in photograph with Steve Kordek and others
Early pinball manufacturer; publicly opposed gambling; developed early payout games (Rocket); hired Rufus King to defend against gambling device classification; pioneered add-a-ball feature
Founder of Gottlieb pinball company; early manufacturer who dominated market; made early decision to exit gambling machine business
Major competitor to Bally in the 1960s–1970s pinball market; described as 'the big gorilla'; influenced Bally's design decisions through distributor feedback and comparative design features.
Designer/manufacturer associated with Baffle Ball, released a few months before Ballyhoo
Founder/owner of Gottlieb pinball company; refused Harry Mabbs' salary request after Humpty Dumpty's success
Dominant pinball manufacturer for extended period, employed Roy Roy Parker, known for conservative aesthetic, competed with Harry Williams
Classic pinball designer credited with Spirit, Haunted House, and other retro machines
Pinball designer whose V-post design is compared mechanically to Chicago Coin's version on Thing
Pinball manufacturer; David Rick Morgan referenced an Alvin Gottlieb machine from 1973 as an example of EM architecture
Pinball manufacturer responsible for Monte Carlo (1986) and other gallery games including Genesis, Diamond Lady, and Robowar
Historical pinball manufacturer who originally purchased the Hannifin press in 1957
Classic pinball machine manufacturer; produced Hot Shot in 1973
Referenced as designer of kicker target feature on Creature from the Black Lagoon
Manufacturer/designer of Q-Bert's Quest pinball machine
Manufacturer/designer credited with Haunted House pinball machine
Historical pinball manufacturer and CEO of D. Gottlieb & Company, fought regulatory battles to legalize flipper pinball machines, sold company to Columbia Pictures in 1977, deceased approximately 10 years before this event
Pinball industry figure; expressed doubts about Sharpe's book project; industry contact
37-year-old Gottlieb pinball company executive; quoted in 1965 Frankfurt, Kentucky newspaper article distinguishing skill-based flipper machines from gambling bingo machines
Son of founder David Gottlieb; testified at 1961 Illinois Senate hearings positioning Gottlieb as novelty-only manufacturer and implying Bally had organized crime ties
Son of David Gottlieb; co-owner of D. Gottlieb & Company; sold company to Columbia Pictures in late 1970s due to succession timing and tax considerations
Owner of D. Gottlieb & Company; first guest speaker at inaugural 1985 Pinball Expo; gave 3-hour seminar on company history
Son of David Gottlieb; sold Gottlieb company to Columbia Pictures in 1976; remained in leadership role post-acquisition
Son of David Gottlieb; took over Gottlieb in 1970s; sold company to Columbia Pictures in 1976
Son of David Gottlieb; took over D. Gottlieb & Co. with uncle Judd Weinberg; later sold company to Columbia Pictures
Son of David Gottlieb, co-owner of D. Gottlieb & Co., sold company to Columbia Pictures in late 1970s due to succession planning and tax considerations.
Son of David; managed operations during Baffle Ball production boom; worked 8am-midnight shifts; provided historical narrative quoted extensively in episode
Premier/Gottlieb pinball manufacturer executive; original Expo supporter 1985; gave 3.5-hour banquet speech with slide presentation of all Gottlieb games; facilitated cross-manufacturer dialogue despite Gottlieb's historically siloed culture
Pinball designer and manufacturer who had personal relationship with Roger; featured in Roger's interviews
Son of David Gottlieb; founder of Alvin G. and Company; heavily involved in Gottlieb Hospital creation and fundraising; celebrating his 80th birthday during the episode; sold Gottlieb company to Columbia Pictures.
Pinball industry figure who conceived Challenger two-player EM concept; attempted similar two-player concepts multiple times throughout career