1970s

Editorial

The 1970s were a decade of transition — electromechanical machines giving way to solid-state electronics as the decade closed. EM machines from this era are appreciated for their elegant simplicity and distinctive mechanical sound. The end of the decade brought the first truly modern machines, setting the template for everything that followed.

Market Share

Who Dominated the 1970s

Share of total releases by manufacturer across the era. Top six shown individually; the rest grouped as “Other”.

Defining Machines

The 1970s at Its Peak

The five highest-rated machines of the era alongside the five most heavily produced — sometimes the same list, often very different.

1970s Machines