Blast into orbit — Williams’ 1962 Friendship “7” is an electromechanical single-player that captures the soaring excitement of the Space Age, named for John Glenn’s historic Mercury capsule and crafted by the legendary Steve Kordek, one of the true titans of pinball history. With reel scoring, a distinctive score drum in the playfield, and a reverse wedgehead cabinet, it’s a genuine early-’60s artifact from a founding master of the craft, timed to the real-life thrill of America’s first orbital flight.
The layout is a fascinating window into 1962 design: a minimum of five balls per play, two flippers, four pop bumpers, four passive bumpers, a pair of slingshots, three rollover buttons, a rollunder, a standup target, and that unusual in-playfield score drum. The combination of four pop bumpers and four passive bumpers promises a wildly bouncy, unpredictable ball that caroms across the playfield, demanding active nudging and sharp reflexes. That in-playfield score drum is a charming period detail, a mechanical way of displaying your progress right there on the field. It’s a raw, energetic design from an era when the rules were still being written.
Friendship “7” is a wonderful piece of history for the collector who treasures the earliest chapters of the modern game and the legendary Steve Kordek. Its Space Age theme, tied directly to one of the defining moments of the era, captures the optimism and wonder of the space race beautifully. Kordek was a genuine legend, and playing one of his creations connects you to pinball’s deep roots. For anyone who loves the golden age of EM pinball and its pioneering figures, it’s a treasure. Ride those bumpers, work the score drum, and blast off. Some machines capture the spirit of their moment, and this one launches you straight into orbit alongside a hero. Godspeed.