» leslie-serrano

Escape artist and magician Harry Houdini dies of ruptured appendix on Halloween

leslie-serrano — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:07:36 +0000

Harry Houdini is known as one of the greatest Magicians of all-time. He was very versatile seeing as how not only was he a great magician, but he was also an actor and film producer as well as other things.

On October 31, 1926, Escape artist and magician Harry Houdini died of a ruptured appendix. Even though many films depicted Houdini’s death being attributed to his act the Chinese Water Torture Cell in which he had to hold his breath for over three minutes, he truthfully never had a problem with the torture cell.

He toured all over Europe ranging from Scotland, Germany, France to England and many other countries. He became a great hit and these tours provided him with a plethora of money that he spent on his family. Even though many of his magic tricks seemed complicated he did not take his tricks to the grave with him. He wrote books on how he managed to go through with many of his magic acts.

Orson Welles’ radio performance of “War of the Worlds” causes mass hysteria

leslie-serrano — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:07:16 +0000

Orson Welles was an actor, producer and writer, best remembered for directing and staring in the classic film Citizen Kane. But Welles was also known during his time for his radio broadcasts.

On October 30^th 1938, Orson Welles’ radio performance of “War of the Worlds” caused mass hysteria. This performance was aired through the American radio drama station and it would have been expected to be taken as just another drama on the station. The only difference was that it started off as if it was a News Bulletin and therefore people began to believe it.

The “announcement” was that there was an alien invasion occurring and people panicked at the thought of that. It was cleared up, but nonetheless it was a shocking moment for many households.

3rd song Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney record together, “The Girl is Mine,” released

leslie-serrano — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:07:27 +0000

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney were already big time artists when the song came out so to put them together in one song meant that the track was almost guaranteed to be a hit. It was a single that was part of Jackson’s album Thriller. Michael Jackson wrote the song himself, one night he just awoke in the middle of his sleep and took his tape recorder out while he sang the song that he would soon record.

On October 29^th 1982, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney record the song, “The Girl is Mine.” It was released as their 3^rd song together and it was such a huge hit that it went platinum, reaching #2 on the billboard hot 100 in the United States.

Even though this was a single on Jackson’s album and not on Paul McCartney’s he never performed it live. It had mixed reviews at first and was seen as Michael Jackson trying to please the Anglo community with his music, but regardless of that, the song excelled.

Morgan Freeman honored at first Mississippi’s Best Awards, with Lifetime Achievement

leslie-serrano — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 08:07:07 +0000

Morgan Freeman’s long acting career has been filled with awards or honors. He has received awards ranging from a Golden Globe Award to an Academy Award to a Tony Award and he has received honorary degrees from both Brown University and Rhodes College. He’s been in countless films and has appeared on television numerous times as well.

On October 28^th 2006, Morgan Freeman was honored at the first Mississippi’s Best Awards, with Lifetime Achievement.

Morgan Freeman has not just been involved in films and big things on the screen, but he has also focused a great deal of his time on charity. He helped the formation of the Grenada Relief Fund known as Planit Now. He has also helped with environmentally friendly organizations and has donated money to animal parks such as the Mississippi Horse Park.

IBM ships its 3 millionth PS/2 personal computer

leslie-serrano — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 07:07:55 +0000

IBM had released personal computers previously and by 1987 they had released their third generation of personal computers, called PS/2 abbreviated for Personal System/2. The purpose of IBM creating this system was because by this time they had competition in the computer industry therefore they wanted to get back on top of their game to make sure that they were the top sellers in this industry. Even though the costs were high and some preferred to stick to their old models, IBM still succeeded.

On September 30^th 1988, IBM shipped its 3 millionths PS/2 personal computer. This occurred nearly 18 months after the PS/2 was released to the public.

IBM sold a good amount of PS/2, but their marketing was criticized for being on the low end. One can only imagine how much more money it would have brought in if the marketing was not so poorly managed.

The Nintendo 64 video game system, known as the first ‘true’ 64-bit system, hit North American shelves

leslie-serrano — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 07:07:34 +0000

The Game Console business has been around since the early 90’s and currently very lucrative, seeing as how some companies charge a monthly fee to play with people all around the world. But in the 90’s it was much more simple than now and there was a certain console that became a must have item for the kids at home.

On September 29^th 1996, the Nintendo 64 video game system, known as the first ‘true’ 64-bit system, hit North American shelves. 500,000 units were sold within the first four months of the console going on the market. Overall the Americas were the leading region in purchasing Nintendo 64 with around 20.63 million units sold.

Being the first “true” 64- bit system it was also the last to use the ROM cartridges. After Nintendo 64 the technology began to advance more rapidly. Fortunately for Nintendo they were able to stay up to date and after Nintendo 64 they came up with the GameCube.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is introduced in Japan as the most fuel-efficient airliner

leslie-serrano — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:07:08 +0000

Fuel prices are not only costly for vehicles anymore, but for aircrafts as well. Boeing was determined to make a fuel-efficient airliner and that they accomplished. The airliner is created using mainly composite materials making it the world’s first airliner to ever be constructed that way. The airliner, 787, was shown to the public in 2007 ceremony and by 2011 it had 873 orders.

On September 28^th 2011, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was introduced in Japan as the most fuel-efficient airliner. It took from 2007 to 2011 to get the airliner because of many delays within the company and Boeing needed to attain certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration as well as European Aviation Safety agency to be able to sell the airliner.

After it’s launch Boeing began a world tour to promote the airliner. They traveled to such places as the Middle East, Africa, China and Europe etc.

Columbia pictures is purchased by Sony for $3.4 billion

leslie-serrano — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 07:07:37 +0000

Columbia Pictures was first established in 1919 under a different name until it officially changed to Columbia Pictures in 1924. It is an American producing and distributing company that gained popularity mainly around the late 1950’s and early 60’s. The company went through different ownership after Harry Cohn died, the president of the company for years. Coca-Cola ended up buying the company, but the film industry might have proven too difficult for the company to handle.

On September 27^th 1989, Columbia pictures was purchased by the Sony Corporation of Japan for $3.4 billion, which during that time meant around $27 a share. During this time many foreign companies were purchasing U.S owned companies.

To date Columbia Pictures is still owned by Sony and their logo has not be changed drastically just modified.

ABC purchases the rights to cover the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for $225 million

leslie-serrano — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:07:38 +0000

In later years, ABC and NBC would both display the Olympic games on their networks, but this wasn’t the case for the 1984 Olympics. ABC saw the Olympics as an event they could benefit from and therefore wanted to become the official network for the summer Olympics of 1984 that were held in Los Angeles.

On September 26^th 1979, ABC purchases the rights to cover the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for $225 million. Not only would they be airing the Los Angeles summer Olympics, but the Winter Olympics that would be held in Sarjevo would also be aired on ABC. The Winter Olympics was an additional cost besides the $225 million that they paid for the summer.

ABC was fortunate that NBC was not as interested in spending so much for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles because it might have become a bidding war. On the other hand CBS was interested in being the Olympic channel, but they did not want to surpass the price that ABC was willing to pay.

Henry Ford announces the 8 hours, 5-day work week

leslie-serrano — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:07:58 +0000

To be part of the Ford company back in the 1920’s meant meeting many requirements because Ford had his own “Social Department,” which checked up on workers. Ford did not approve of poor life choices such as alcoholism, gambling addiction and things of that sort therefore he kept his employees in line. In reward of living what Ford considered a well-conducted life employees reaped many benefits.

On September 25^th 1926, Henry Ford announced the 8-hour, 5-day work week. This was a shock for many because other factories had their workers work 6 days a week for extensive hours a day. Ford was very considerate of his workers and believed that they needed time for their family. He realized that maybe he should not be so involved in their personal life so he dropped the “Social Department” aspect of his company.

His wages were also high for the times, and he saw his high pay rate as an investment. Ford also instilled profit-sharing where employees would be able to purchase an automobile from Ford through their hard work in the company business.