Gottlieb was founded in 1927 by David Gottlieb in Chicago, Illinois, initially as a manufacturer of mechanical amusement devices. The company made a significant impact on the industry with the release of Baffle Ball in 1931, one of the earliest pinball machines, which became a massive success. Gottlieb quickly became a leader in pinball innovation, introducing features that would shape the industry, such as the add-a-ball system and electromechanical (EM) advancements. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Gottlieb was known for producing high-quality, family-friendly pinball games, often featuring the iconic “flipper” mechanism, which became a standard element in pinball design after its introduction in 1947’s Humpty Dumpty.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Gottlieb transitioned from electromechanical to solid-state pinball machines, producing classics like Sinbad (1978), Haunted House (1982), and Black Hole (1981), which featured the industry’s first lower playfield viewed through a transparent window. However, as the pinball industry faced challenges in the late 1980s and 1990s, Gottlieb struggled to remain competitive. The company changed ownership multiple times, eventually becoming Premier Technology before ceasing pinball production in 1996. Despite its closure, Gottlieb remains one of the most historically significant pinball manufacturers, known for its craftsmanship, innovative gameplay features, and contributions to the golden age of pinball. Many of its machines are still highly regarded by collectors and enthusiasts today.