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Old pinball machines are amazingly complex

Technology Connections · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Mechanical & precision engineeringElectronics & circuit designGame history & retro gaming

What it is

Technology Connections takes a long, detailed look at how a 1970s electromechanical pinball machine works, from relays to stepper motors and mechanical logic. It is the first part of a series.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN points people to it as a deep dive showing how complex logic was built without computers.

  • 6 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2023, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “I shared it with everyone I know, and now I'm sharing it with you”

    Hour-long explanation of how switches and stepper motors implement complex logic

    bsimpson, 2025-08 · Strong recommendation · in “VHS-C: When a lazy idea stumbles towards perfection [video]”

  2. “does a great job of explaining how a lot of this stuff can be done mechanically.”

    Explains how complexity is done mechanically in pinball machines.

    iancmceachern, 2023-11 · Recommendation · in “Automata: The Extraordinary "Robots" Designed Hundreds of Years Ago [video]”

  3. “It goes horribly in-depth (in a good way).”

    In-depth look at a 1970s pinball machine.

    brewdad, 2024-01 · Recommendation · in “Why a toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today (2021)”

  4. “an amazingly deep dive into the workings of a 1970's model, check out Alec's pinball series on Technology Connections”

    Deep dive into workings of a 1970s pinball machine.

    chongli, 2024-10 · Recommendation · in “How were 70s versions of games like Pong built without a programmable computer?”

  5. “Technology Connections has several videos about old pinball machines that showcase how incredibly complex they are”

    Shows how incredibly complex old pinball machines are

    exhilaration, 2025-01 · Recommendation · in “A man keeping hope, and 70-year-old pinball machines, alive”

  6. “The site is also a nice compliment to the Technology Connections series on old pinball machines”

    Companion series on old pinball machines

    roskelld, 2026-02 · Recommendation · in “Fun With Pinball”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: pinball, relays, stepper motors, mechanical logic, technology connections

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