Affordable Personal Computers

Founded in 1998 by Lap Shun Hui, eMachines was a manufacturer of economical personal computers, ranking 4th in American computer sales by the next year. It was a joint venture of South Korean companies Korea Data Systems and TriGem. The company sold PCs for $400 and $500, all without a monitor. eMachines was acquired by Gateway, Inc. in 2004, and itself acquired by Acer Inc. in 2007. The eMachines brand was discontinued in 2013. If the above screen brings back memories, there is a complete history here. 

Audio Celebrity

 

Mostly heard and not seen, if you owned a television set by the late Fifties, Jack Haskell (1919-1998) was a familiar voice as an announcer for numerous broadcasts. In those early days, when he was not pitching a product or introducing a guest, Haskell would grace the radio airwaves as a singer. While in college, Haskell sang on the Chicago radio stations WBBM, and WGN, and was showcased on the Dial Dave Garroway show at WMAQ. After college, he sang with Les Brown and his orchestra. Haskell moved from Chicago to New York City for his television transition on NBC's Today, again with Garroway. Among other shows, he was an announcer on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Garry Moore Show, Garroway at Large, The Dave Garroway Show, The Jack Paar Show, Stop the Music, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Haskell was also active in summer stock theatre. Among his album recordings was “Jack swings for Jack" a popular solo project for the Strand label.