Pinball promo plastics

Promo plastics are plastics like keychains and other, sometimes weirdly shaped, plastics that are created to promote a pinball machine.

I'm not sure when this started or who was first. System80 Gottlieb games of the early 1980ies usually had a keychain plastic that mentioned the name and game number. These are one of the first plastics I know of, although there were some other early electronic games that also had promo plastics. They became very usual for each game in the late 1980ies. I think all games since 1990ies had them.

The number of promo plastics created is different per game. One reason for this is that all playfield plastics are created out of one large sheet of plastic. This plastic is printed and then the individual parts are laser cut. All required plastics are fitted as best as possible. If there is left over open space, it can be used for additional plastics. Promo plastics are thus not especially produced as such, but made out of plastic that would be leftover scrap anyway.

The plastic sheet for Funhouse plastics - by CPR.

An overview of different promo plastics, decals and some slingshot plastics. Notice a lot of WPC games have two round plastics, and system 11 had square plastics.. These come out of the speaker holes that are cut in the speaker panel plastic.

Promo plastics were sometimes given away, by the manufacturer and distributors on large events, or they came with each game sold. Then they usually were in the goodie bag.

Pinball goodie bags

Even vintage pinball machines came with a few extras, such as a manual and instruction and score cards. These were usually in a large paper envelope. Since the late 1980ies, extra parts were added in a plastic bag which was stapled to the cabinet. Therefor the naam goodie bag. The extras of a game differed by manufacturer and by type of game.

Old game manuals, left is an overview of what's included in 1980 Gottlien Time Line. On the right the contents with extras of 1969 Williams Smart Set. Note the warranty and reply cards so operators could register their game.

Usually they contain some promo plastics or keychain, a spare set of slingshot plastics (as these often break during gameplay). Sometimes a few fuses and other small spare parts to keep the game running.

Goodie bag inside the Stern Iron Maiden pinball machine.

Pinball Flyers

Paper flyers as promotion for a new model are something that exists since the 1950ies. The Pinball Flyer books give a good overview of all flyers created. Even the latest games still have promotional flyers created.

Flyers evolved, from black and white, single page prints, color leaflets explaining the playfield and special features. Sometimes manufacturers became creative and made multi-page flyers, small comic books and more.

There's almost 50 years between the oldest and most recent flyer in this picture.

Gorgar was the first talking game produced.
There is a version of the flyer that includes a 45rpm record with the sounds the machine makes. That way operators could hear the sounds of the game, to convince them to order the game.

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