Control Tower Preview Image
Machine Description
Control Tower, released by Williams in 1951. The machine captured the excitement of aviation and airports, a theme that resonated with the public during the golden age of commercial air travel. With art by George Molentin, it featured typically sharp dressed women sporting the latest fashions in stark contrast to the Roy Parker ladies, who were usually plainly dressed, outfitted with clothes and hairdos dating back 20 years.
The color pallete used by Molentin covered the spectrum, the sky itself in glorious hues with only the top portion being blue.
"A pillbox is not a place to store pills, but a round building full of machine guns to hold off the enemy. That’s the origin of the name for the pillbox hat, worn by the stewardess on the right. The year is 1951, and we have just won World War II. American manufacturing is geared to produce large quantities of war clothing, and so it is natural to adapt the patterns and uniform designs to civilian wear, making for a snappy sportswear ensemble worn by the woman in red."
From Melissa Harmon's "Pinball Style" on the PPM Exhibit site.