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My passion for pinball has transformed from a mere hobby into a full-time occupation. It’s what I immerse myself in every day, though I occasionally need a break to recharge. Nevertheless, there’s nothing else I’d rather do.
Growing up in Allentown, PA, my fascination with pinball began early. I fondly remember how my brother and I would search the neighborhood for quarters, looking for the best pinball machine. Every corner store had one, making it an exciting adventure for us. I recall being captivated by the intricate mechanics when I saw an operator servicing a machine, and he even gave us a few free credits afterward.
I graduated from LTI in 1988 with an AS degree in Electronic Engineering. My career started as a component-level bench technician, but I soon moved into field service, where the real challenges lay. It was a demanding time, turning poorly tested, underperforming products into reliable ones in front of frustrated customers. This challenge became addictive, and I seldom turned down difficult projects. Eventually, I became an applications specialist, designing solutions with reliable products, but I found it less exciting over time.
In 2000, like many others, I bought my first pinball machine on eBay. It was an Apollo 13 from Barry White. It was a great machine, but as issues arose, I realized I had no one to turn to for help. My extensive experience, however, allowed me to fix the problems, and I quickly became addicted to repairing and restoring machines, sometimes more than playing them.
Now, I am building a business focused on in-home repair and providing top-quality pinball machines to the community. I repair all types, though I find EMs particularly challenging. My mentor refers to them as "just a box of doorbells," a thought that stays with me as I work on them. If you need assistance, feel free to ask. You can even watch closely if you’d like; it doesn’t bother me at all. How did I end up here?
Ivan Lysykanycz
Email Me or Call Me @ 610-730-4455
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