Backglass

Backglass refers to the glass panel located at the rear of a vehicle. In automobiles, this is commonly known as the rear window. It is typically made of tempered glass, which is designed to break into small, relatively harmless pieces when fractured, enhancing safety in case of an accident. The backglass can be a simple pane or incorporate features such as defroster elements, antennas, and even camera mounts for rearview systems.

In pinball machines, "backglass" has a distinct meaning. It is the decorative, often illuminated, glass panel that sits at the top rear of the playfield. This panel serves multiple purposes. Visually, it displays artwork, logos, and imagery that is thematic to the game's design, contributing significantly to the machine's aesthetic appeal. Functionally, it houses scoring displays, such as score reels or modern LED/LCD screens, which show the player's current score and game status. Many backglasses also contain lighting elements that flash and animate during gameplay, adding to the excitement and immersive experience of playing the pinball machine. The artwork and design of a pinball backglass are often considered collectible items among enthusiasts.