The First Family of pinball: Meet the local wizards behind the game’s huge resurgence

Roger Sharpe once saved the Chicago-born arcade game in the 70s. Now his two children are behind pinball’s latest renaissance.

By Ryan Smith






Chicago once waged a 40-year war on pinball

Alderman Ed Burke (yes, that Ed Burke) was among those who fought to keep the ban, fearing kids would blow their “lunch money” on pinball.

By Ryan Smith






Here’s every pinball machine in Chicago, mapped

This interactive guide can direct you to one of the more than 500 pinball machines in Chicago

By Jamie Ramsay






Take a look deep inside the guts of a pinball machine

Here are some photos from our visit to Stern Pinball, the largest pinball machine maker in the world.

By Jamie Ramsay