Destination: Holiday Inn

Trailways Transportation System was founded by Burlington Transportation Company, Santa Fe Trails Transportation Company, Missouri Pacific Stages, Safeway Lines, Inc., and Frank Martz Coach Company in 1936. In competition to Greyhound Lines, the system provided coast-to-coast service as the National Trailways Bus System. During the 1950s and 1960s, four of the five original Trailways members consolidated to become part of a new company, Continental Trailways, which eventually operated the majority of Trailways routes. Continental Trailways was acquired in 1968 by Holiday Inn. The lodging chain's advertisements often featured a Trailways coach at the entrance. Trailways remained a subsidiary of Holiday Inn until 1979, when they sold Trailways to a private investor, Henry Hillman Sr., of Pittsburgh. Today Trailways members are spread across North America to provide charter bus service, bus tours and scheduled route services.

Note: A common sight on American highways in the 1960s was the Eagle Model 01 (above). For over four decades, some 8,000 Eagle "hightop" coaches were built in four countries on two continents. A thorough history of the Eagle coaches here.

Word Origins

 

*STENOGRAPHY 

As an English word, stenography has been recorded as early as 1602. It is derived from two Greek words, stenos (narrow) and graphein (to write) literally meaning “narrow writing” as opposed to the “broad writing” that is the more ordinary script. Even shorthand is only slightly younger as a synonym for stenography, originating in England near the close of the sixteenth century. But the truth is, stenography is even older than this. It is known to have been practiced in the Roman Senate and there is some evidence that it was practiced by the ancient Greeks before the time of Christ. 

*Inspired by Charles Funk (1881–1957)

This is Jim Rockford

 

Uncle Jim? It's Ralph! I got your letter -- but I moved out here anyway. I really want those detective lessons ...

Jim's answering machine: 

A Bad Deal in The Valley, 1976; written by Donald L. Gold and 

Lester William Berke
Guest star: Susan Strasberg

To Infinity and Beyond Mach 4

 

On this date in 1961, test pilot Major Robert M. White, USAF, flew the number two North American Aviation X-15 hypersonic research rocketplane to Mach 4.43 (2,905 mph) to 77,450 feet, becoming the first pilot to exceed Mach 4. The total duration of the flight, from the airdrop from the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress to touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base, was 8 minutes, 34.1 seconds.

A Noted Television Theme

 

The ever-popular Murdoch Mysteries (2008-) is a Canadian television drama series set in Toronto beginning in 1895 and progressively follows Detective William Murdoch, who solves murder cases using methods of detection that were ahead of its time, alluding to future commonly used detection methods. These might include "finger marks" (fingerprinting), blood testing, surveillance, and trace evidence. The detective may use existing technology of his time to improvise a crude prototype that would help a 21st-century audience relate. For the same purpose, modern social issues are addressed. As with most modern historical interpretations, the show is a blend of fiction with aspects of fact. The Murdoch character may interact with actual historical figures as if the detective existed. The episodes can range from near slapstick to dark and gruesome murder investigations. 

Supporting excellent opening graphics, Robert Carli composed a contemporary synthesized electronic "steampunk" arrangement. Listen to it HERE

Non-Stop Around The World

 

On this date in 1949, a Boeing B-50A Superfortress, named Lucky Lady II, ended its four-day, non-stop circumnavigation of the Earth, landing back at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas. The bomber received four inflight refuelings for its 94 hours and 1 minute, 23,452-mile flight. Lucky Lady II was the backup aircraft for this flight but became primary when the first B-50, Global Queen, had to abort with engine problems. Each Lucky Lady II crew member was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year. Aerial refueling proved there was no distance out the reach for the Strategic Air Command.

13 August 1950, while returning to its base at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, all four engines failed. Unable to reach the runways, the pilot landed safely in the desert approximately two miles away. Though the landing gear was extended, the bomber collapsed and was damaged beyond economic repair. The unrestored fuselage of Lucky Lady II is at the Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino, California.

Grace and Charm

 

Arlene Francis (Arline Francis Kazanjian 1907-2001) was an American actress with nineteen acting appearances, a television talk show host, and game show panelist. She became a well-known New York City radio personality, hosting several programs. From 1938 to 1949 she became the sole female host of the radio game show What's My Name?. Beginning in 1950, Francis became widely remembered for her 25-year role as a panelist on the television game show with a slight name change, What's My Line?, hosted by John Daly. Francis was known on that show for wearing a heart-shaped diamond pendant, a gift from her husband Martin Gabel, a frequent panelist, which she wore on nearly all of her What's My Line? appearances. Another signature adornment was her blindfold outlined with sparkling studs. She could be frequently seen on Password and Match Game game shows as well through the mid-eighties. Francis possessed charm, grace, and sophistication. Three traits that made her a popular celebrity.