History Channel

June 14, 2004 - The half an hour cable show will debut in the next few months, and will depict the development and production of a pinball machine.

The show's producers, Patrick Lea Belle and David Madison, a camera crew, and the show's host, Ron Hazelton, all visited the Stern factory to learn about how Stern's RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!' pinball machine is built. Ron conducted a series of interviews with Stern's game designers and staff. He spoke with game designer Pat Lawlor about conceptualizing and designing the RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!' playfield, Plant Manager Don Thorne about how games are assembled, game designer Steve Ritchie on his game ideas and theories, and several other Stern employees. Ron concluded by interviewing Gary Stern, who stood with several pinball machines from the 1940's to the present. Ron and Gary discussed the history of the game, as well as recent titles like THE LORD OF THE RINGS' and THE SIMPSONS', and Stern's ToPS' tournament system.

Gary Stern says, 'The public's interest in pinball continues to grow. For the History Channel, pinball is especially interesting because it is a product made in America'-a very intricate product made here. The public's interest in pinball assures resale for our games. '

The History Channel is owned by A&E Television, and the specific channel number differs depending upon one's local cable television provider. 'Hands on History' appears on The History Channel at a variety of times throughout the week.