Pinball machine:Monster Bash Pinball Machine

Desgined by George Gomez and released by Williams in 1998, Monster Bash centered on a Universal Studios Monsters theme. The object of the game was to assemble a rock band made up of Universal Studios monsters such as Frankenstiein, Dracula, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Bride of Frankenstein. Collectors generally consider Monster Bash to be designer George Gomez's masterpiece, but in 1998, Williamns only sold 3,300 units as the market for pinball continued to shrink. Under pressure from declining profits, Williams shut down their pinball division in 1999, making Monster Bash one of the company's last pinball machines.

The history of pinball dates back to 18th-century Europe; many similar games gradually evolved from court games--games played with balls upon a playing surface, including bowls and even golf. Table versions, it seems, were inevitable inventions to make these games portable and to bring them indoors. What we recognize as pinball evolved in America during the 20th century. The year 1947 saw the invention of the "flipper," which added a whole new dimension to the game. In the 1960s, smaller and cheaper home versions were commonly available.