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1 entry of 164 involving Roger Sharpe

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Before 1950 Origins

Flippers arrive and pinball becomes an argument about skill

Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty gave players flippers to keep the ball alive, moving pinball from a game of chance toward a game of skill. That distinction later did real work in fights over municipal bans.

Key facts and significance Hide details
Platform
Arcade cabinets
Region
North America
Period
Origins

Why it matters

One control scheme changed the legal and cultural standing of an entire class of machine. Pinball's long argument that skill separates amusement from gambling shaped how American cities regulated public play, and video games later inherited both the argument and the suspicion that made it necessary.

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