Our Story
About The Flip
“To connect everyone with the history, art, science, and technology of pinball.”
Chicago & Pinball
Chicago has been the beating heart of the pinball industry since the 1930s. Companies like Gottlieb, Bally, and Williams called this city home, designing and manufacturing the machines that defined generations of play.
At its peak, nearly every pinball machine in the world was built within a few miles of downtown Chicago. The city's relationship with pinball is both complicated and fascinating — from the infamous ban of 1942 to its revival and the modern renaissance.
The Flip exists to preserve this incredible legacy and share it with new generations, combining hands-on play with storytelling about the people, engineering, and art behind every machine.
Development Roadmap
Workshop Setup
Secured workshop space, acquired and restored 10 machines.
Community Building
Recruiting volunteers, developing exhibits, building community connections, planning gift shop.
Location Scouting
Finding the perfect Chicago location for the museum. Target opening: Summer 2026.
Grand Opening
Full operational launch with exhibits, educational programs, and public hours.
Sustainability
Building an audience, extending the collection, and getting ourselves on firm financial footing so we're sustainable for the long term.
Expansion
Improving the collection, pursuing new exhibits, and working to make The Flip the world's best pinball museum.
Organization
The Flip NFP is an Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation dedicated to preserving and sharing the heritage of pinball. We rely on volunteers, donations, and community support to make the museum a reality. We are an IRS-registered 501c3, id 39-2820678.
hello@theflip.museum