Weird History
Pinball Was Banned In NYC until the 1970s Because of the Mob
2022 • E105 Sep 2, 2022 15m
The 1930s were a time of great change that saw many milestones that would come to define the decade. The Great Depression affected millions across America, the Graf Zeppelin completed a historic journey, and the New Deal ushered in an era of social support programs we still use today. And pinball emerged as a popular new pastime, although it quickly drew the ire of New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who went to war with the Silverball because of its alleged ties to the underworld and illegal gambling.