Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
David Gottlieb founded D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1927. The company originally manufactured the Husky Grip Tester and Majestic Moving Target.
In 1931, David Gottlieb found tremendous success with a countertop pinball machine named Baffle Ball.
He sold 50,000 at $17.50 establishing D. Gottlieb and Co. as a dominant manufacturer of pinball machines.
During this time, Mr. Gottlieb could not fulfill the orders of his customer Ray Moloney.
Mr. Moloney then went on to start Lion Manufacturing which later became Bally Manufacturing.
Throughout many decades in the coin operated amusement business, David Gottlieb and Ray Moloney were fierce competitors but very close friends raising money for charities such as the Damon Runyon Cancer fund.
A proud supporter of the coin machine industry, David Gottlieb served as President of Coin Machine Industries (CMI) in1939.
Also a proud American and Patriot, David Gottlieb did his part during World War 2 manufacturing parachute hooks, rubber rafts, and other wartime supplies.
D. Gottlieb and Co. had many innovations including the first 4 player pinball machine, Super Jumbo and the first 2 player pinball machine, Duette.
Another key innovation was the "Add-A-Ball" feature that allowed pinball machines to be operated in territories that did not allow free play.
The most notable invention though was in 1947 when Gottlieb employee, Harry Mabbs, invented the flipper.
First placed on "Humpty Dumpty", the flipper was a revolutionary invention and soon after, all pinball machines had to have flippers.
Some of David Gottlieb's most well known phrases were:
"Pinball, as American as Baseball and Hot Dogs"
"There is no substitute for Quality!"
"Controlled production and gauged distribution"
Heavily involved in charity throughout his live, David Gottlieb's dream was realized when Gottlieb Memorial Hospital opened in 1961.
An active and engaged member of the Chicago area Jewish community, he was heavily involved in both the West Suburban Temple and Oak Park Temple in Oak Park, Illinois.
A devout family man, David was married to his beloved Dorothy from 1926 until his passing in 1974.
David and Dorothy had three children, Marjorie, Alvin, and Roberta.
After David retired, D. Gottlieb and Co. was run by his brother Nate Gottlieb, his son Alvin Gottlieb, and Majorie's Husband, Judd Weinberg.
D. Gottlieb and Co. was sold in 1976 to Columbia Pictures.
David Gottlieb founded D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1927. The company originally manufactured the Husky Grip Tester and Majestic Moving Target.
In 1931, David Gottlieb found tremendous success with a countertop pinball machine named Baffle Ball.
He sold 50,000 at $17.50 establishing D. Gottlieb and Co. as a dominant manufacturer of pinball machines.
During this time, Mr. Gottlieb could not fulfill the orders of his customer Ray Moloney.
Mr. Moloney then went on to start Lion Manufacturing which later became Bally Manufacturing.
Throughout many decades in the coin operated amusement business, David Gottlieb and Ray Moloney were fierce competitors but very close friends raising money for charities such as the Damon Runyon Cancer fund.
A proud supporter of the coin machine industry, David Gottlieb served as President of Coin Machine Industries (CMI) in1939.
Also a proud American and Patriot, David Gottlieb did his part during World War 2 manufacturing parachute hooks, rubber rafts, and other wartime supplies.
D. Gottlieb and Co. had many innovations including the first 4 player pinball machine, Super Jumbo and the first 2 player pinball machine, Duette.
Another key innovation was the "Add-A-Ball" feature that allowed pinball machines to be operated in territories that did not allow free play.
The most notable invention though was in 1947 when Gottlieb employee, Harry Mabbs, invented the flipper.
First placed on "Humpty Dumpty", the flipper was a revolutionary invention and soon after, all pinball machines had to have flippers.
Some of David Gottlieb's most well known phrases were:
"Pinball, as American as Baseball and Hot Dogs"
"There is no substitute for Quality!"
"Controlled production and gauged distribution"
Heavily involved in charity throughout his live, David Gottlieb's dream was realized when Gottlieb Memorial Hospital opened in 1961.
An active and engaged member of the Chicago area Jewish community, he was heavily involved in both the West Suburban Temple and Oak Park Temple in Oak Park, Illinois.
A devout family man, David was married to his beloved Dorothy from 1926 until his passing in 1974.
David and Dorothy had three children, Marjorie, Alvin, and Roberta.
After David retired, D. Gottlieb and Co. was run by his brother Nate Gottlieb, his son Alvin Gottlieb, and Majorie's Husband, Judd Weinberg.
D. Gottlieb and Co. was sold in 1976 to Columbia Pictures.
