Tag Archives: science museum

Visiting the Exploratorium — best Thanksgiving trip

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This year I’m thankful for a chance to see the Visible Pinball machine in its new home at the Exploratorium. Visiting his awesome San Francisco science museum was the perfect end to a long Thanksgiving weekend. Kids and adults were playing pinball nonstop, so excited to see the game.  Wade and the Pacific Pinball Museum created a gift to the city and beyond when they made this machine.

surf champ pinball machineExploratorium will be moving to a new home at Pier 15 in San Francisco this spring — I can’t wait to see the magic they make in an expanded space. Based on the huge interest and enjoyment I saw with the exhibit, I hope more museums buy clear pinball machines for their visitors.

PBDG Meets a Young Pinball Ambassador

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Meet Brian and Chris.  Long time supporter of the Pacific Pinball Museum, Brian brings his son Chris on regular visits.

Nine year old Chris is an excellent docent and pinball ambassador. Cinematographer Charlie Kuttner and I were at the PPM to film some more clear game footage, and Chris introduced us to  Adventures in the Development of Pinball, the new exhibit. The show includes one of the Bally Freedom clear games built with Wade Krause.

chris and brian with bally freedom

Chris is pretty good at the clear game — he had moves!

chris plays clear game

On display are a set of images and interactive exhibits that explain the development and workings of pinball machines. Chris walked me through several of them with great expertise.

chris demonstrates chimes

chris demonstrates knockerchris and the bumper Be sure to stop by the PPM when you are in the Bay Area to visit the exhibit, check out and play the new visible pin, and of course play the other hundred plus games at the museum.  Michael Schiess and his crew have everything set it up to be very hands on, and as you can see, kids will definitely enjoy it.

chris and pinballs

Adventures in the Development of Pinball
ART AND TECH SHOW, runs April 6 through July 6, 2012.

Physics, mechanics, art and history exhibits:

An art and tech show about the internal workings of the machines, and their art and design as they change over time.