Play Meter

machines in which aren't going to destroy morality,
you're going to make money in increa ed revenues,
they'll look at it from that level.
,I would rather have the machines be accepted by
their merits and for the fact that they owe nothing to
public immorality. The machines weren't hurting
anybody, but look at the lengths and extremes past
legi lators went to destroy an industry.
PLAY METER: What can the operator do to help
get favorable legislation, to clean away the stigma of
gambling and gansterism?
SHARPE: He can clean up hi act. He can handle
his bu ine s as a business. Operators could also have
petition at their game rooms asking public support
of pinball. Another method would be a national
clearinghouse for pUblicity about pinball. Who ever
hear of the machines given to hospitals or the
machines given to science to help children with
learning disabilities. We have to play that part up,
it's been far too secretive. You know David Gottlieb
created Gottlieb Memorial Hospital out of love for his
parents and as a contribution to his neighborhood.
All the major industries in the United States have
public relations facilities to counteract any negativ-
ity, but thi industry doesn't and it should.
We, a an industry, cannot play the role of an
ostrich. We cannot stick our heads in the sand and
feel that people will go away and forget about us and
let u survive. Maybe my book in part will bring
them out of their shell a bit to edify the public as to
the merits of pinball.
No one's taken the time to make people aware that
pinball is not the Black Plague, that it's not
omething to be afraid of.
PLAY METER: How long do you think the
American public will continue its love affair with the
pinball machine?
HARPE: Endlessly. We're not going to grow
tired of it. The designers of the games, some of whom
are in their 60's, still play. Billy DeSelm at Williams
i one of the best players Ive ever seen. The old and
the young can play and await each new game
anxiou ly.
No one can ever blot out the contribution pinball
machines have made to society as a whole and their
impact on our leisure time activities. It's something
even the people who are against it have to face.
The people iri the indu try are unique; it takes a
pecial personality to work within the pinball
medium. They de erve finally a fair shak-e for what
they're doing.
E.X,c..EL
COIN M AC.f-\.l NE.
MANUFAC.-rvR(~
the cleverness in design. Can your machine
be pounded kicked, shaken, rattled and rolled?"
"Forget
t
55