World Record Attempt

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Jan 23, 2007

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.015

TL;DR

Lonnie Mihin attempts Guinness World Record for continuous pinball play at Chicago Expo.

Summary

Lonnie Mihin, an Expo regular, announced plans to attempt breaking the Guinness World Record for continuous pinball playing at the 30th Pinball Expo in Chicago (October 16-19, 2014). The current official record stands at 28 hours by Alessandro Parisi (2007), though longer unofficial attempts have been reported. Mihin's attempt, played on a Stern Mustang in the Westin Chicago North Shore hotel lobby, aims to surpass both the official record and an unofficial 72-hour mark, with all fundraising proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Illinois.

Key Claims

The official Guinness World Record for continuous pinball playing is 28 hours, set by Alessandro Parisi on January 22-23, 2007 at Westland Shopping Centre in Whyalla, Australia
high confidence · Article states this as the official record; Pinball News is a reliable source for pinball industry facts
Ronald Mowray has reported a 72-hour continuous playing stretch, longer than the official record
medium confidence · Article notes 'longer continuous playing stretches have been reported, including this one of 72 hours by Ronald Mowray' but distinguishes it from the official record
Guinness World Records rules allow a five-minute break per full hour of play, which can be banked for longer breaks later
high confidence · Lonnie Mihin quoted directly explaining the official rules
Lonnie Mihin planned to attempt at least 72 hours of continuous play starting midday Thursday, October 16, 2014
high confidence · Direct quote from Lonnie and article announcement; UPDATE confirms attempt is underway
The attempt machine is a Stern Mustang located in the Westin Chicago North Shore hotel's front lobby
high confidence · UPDATE section at end of article confirms 'He is playing a Stern Mustang and is positioned in the hotel's front lobby'

Notable Quotes

“I used to enjoy watching TV shows like That's Incredible and Ripley's Believe It Or Not!. I always thought that I could do something crazy too - not for vanity or anything like that, but for my own sense of accomplishment.”
Lonnie Mihin @ N/A — Reveals personal motivation for the world record attempt — childhood inspiration rather than fame-seeking
“I pretty much have/need to stick to one game due to the video proof requirements, so moving around isn't much of an option.”
Lonnie Mihin @ N/A — Explains the practical constraint of Guinness record rules requiring single-game proof documentation
“People attending the Expo can obviously come by and poke fun at the deranged guy that hasn't shaved or showered for 4 days trying to break a world record.”
Lonnie Mihin @ N/A — Humorous, self-aware comment about the physical toll of the extended play attempt
“If you can't make it to the Expo but would still like to support me in my effort to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Illinois charity, go to my GoFundMe page and make a donation. All funds that I collect are going straight to Make-A-Wish.”
Lonnie Mihin @ N/A — Establishes charitable purpose of the record attempt, linking personal achievement to fundraising

Entities

Lonnie Mihinperson30th Pinball ExpoeventAlessandro ParisipersonRonald MowraypersonMake-A-Wish IllinoisorganizationStern MustangproductWestland Shopping Centre, Whyalla, AustralialocationWestin Chicago North ShorelocationGuinness World RecordsorganizationPinball Newsorganization

Signals

?
event_signal: Lonnie Mihin's world record attempt at Chicago Pinball Expo serves as a focal point for community engagement and charitable fundraising, with spectators invited to participate in person or remotely via GoFundMe
high · Article details the public nature of the attempt, encouragement for Expo visitors to attend, and remote participation options for supporting Make-A-Wish charity
?
event_signal: 30th Pinball Expo in Chicago (October 2014) includes significant feature event: world record attempt for continuous pinball playing
high · Article states 'While there will be many events taking place at the 30th Pinball Expo in Chicago, none will be so gruelling and lengthy as an attempt to break the world record for continuous pinball playing'

Topics

World record attemptprimaryContinuous pinball playing enduranceprimaryChicago Pinball ExpoprimaryCharity fundraisingsecondaryStern Pinball machinessecondaryGuinness World Records rules and verificationsecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Article is enthusiastic and supportive of Lonnie's attempt. Tone is uplifting and admiring, highlighting both the personal achievement goal and the charitable fundraising component. Lonnie's own comments are humorous and self-deprecating, adding warmth to the narrative.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Date: 13th October, 2014 While there will be many events taking place at the 30th Pinball Expo in Chicago, none will be so gruelling and lengthy as an attempt to break the world record for continuous pinball playing. Expo regular Lonnie Mihin plans to begin his pinball marathon when registration for the show begins at midday on Thurssday 16th October. He will be located next to the Expo registration desk at the Westin Chicago North Shore hotel in Wheeling. Lonnie Mihin Although longer continuous playing stretches have been reported, including this one of 72 hours by Ronald Mowray, the official world record stands at 28 hours by Alessandro Parisi at the Westland Shopping Centre in Whyalla, Australia on 22nd & 23rd January 2007. Lonnie told Pinball News he had always dreamed on getting his name in the record books. "I used to enjoy watching TV shows like That's Incredible and Ripley's Believe It Or Not!. I always thought that I could do something crazy too - not for vanity or anything like that, but for my own sense of accomplishment. I figured that if I'm going to try and do something, do what I know best - pinball." According to the rules to register a new record with Guinness World of Records, Lonnie is allowed a five minute break each full hour of play. He can bank these to create a longer break later during the record attempt, although they don't count towards the recorded duration. He said part of his strategy is "to go for at least six hours to get a half hour of break built up. A half an hour buffer, I feel, is pretty good to work with." He has also planned how he intends to play, as well as his dietary requirement. "I pretty much have/need to stick to one game due to the video proof requirements, so moving around isn't much of an option. I do plan on taking some 5 hour energy shots as they seem to have done good for me in the past. Of course, eating the proper foods during my attempt will help greatly too. I'm gonna pass on the spicy Thai and Mexican that I tend to enjoy, for obvious reasons! But, if things start to look grim for me, I might have to break out the Monsters. I'll only resort to them though if needed, as they really aren't the healthiest of choices." If everything goes to plan the 28 hour record will be broken late on Friday afternoon, but Lonnie plans to go beyond that by taking on Ronald's total of 72 hours. The 72 hours mark would be reached around 6pm on Sunday evening. Visitors to Pinball Expo will be able to cheer on Lonnie during his attempt, but if you can't make it in person there are still ways you can join in and help with his fundraising efforts. "People attending the Expo can obviously come by and poke fun at the deranged guy that hasn't shaved or showered for 4 days trying to break a world record. If you can't make it to the Expo but would still like to support me in my effort to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Illinois charity, go to my GoFundMe page and make a donation. All funds that I collect are going straight to Make-A-Wish." You'll be able to see how Lonnie does in our extensive Pinball Expo coverage which begins on Wednesday. UPDATE Lonnie's attempt is now underway at the Westin hotel. He is playing a Stern Mustang and is positioned in the hotel's front lobby. We will keep you updated on his progress. Lonnie on his world record attempt Back to the News page Like this page? Share it with your Facebook friends: Back to the front page