Antique 'canned laughter' machines will raise a smile at Don Presley Auctions - Hobbies

The calibre of antiques in Don Presley's June 25-26 sale of antiques and fine art is expected to ignite serious bidding, but watch the mood lighten when two circa-1953 American pop-culture icons are presented at the podium: Charles Rolland Douglass's "LaffBox" and the "Jayo Laugher" invented by I Love Lucy's legendary creator/producer Jess Oppenheimer.Each of the trailblazing recording devices is a prototype, developed around the same time and with a similar purpose in mind: to house a library of sounds - specifically "canned" laughter and audience applause - which could be summoned with the tap of a key for use during the taping of TV shows.The thigh-slapping history of the two laugh machines crossed paths earlier this year when Don Presley publicly announced he would be auctioning the "Laffbox" in his May sale.Discovered in a storage locker, the LaffBox was accompanied by a thick, neatly organized binder that documented its origin and use over the years. Based on the con tents of the binder, Presley believed the LaffBox to be unique and publicised it as such.Shortly after news of the LaffBox discovery was made public, Presley was contacted by the late Jess Oppenheimer's son, Gregg Oppenheimer, who informed the auctioneer that his father had invented a laugh machine that possibly pre-dated the LaffBox. It was called the Jayo Laugher.It seems that while Jess Oppenheimer (1913-1988) was developing his Jayo Laugher in 1953, a CBS sound engineer named Charles Douglass (1910-2003) was quietly developing a similar device of his own, which he dubbed the LaffBox.Had Oppenheimer known a competing machine was in the works, he might have placed a greater priority on the completion of his Jayo Laugher, but he did not learn of the LaffBox's existence until reading about it in a newspaper article. At that point, the race was on.As reported in the Dec. 16, 1954 issue of the show business publication Daily Variety, Oppenheimer and Douglass waged a neck-and-n eck battle over which of their devices would receive a critically important U.S. patent.

In the end, the patent went to the Douglass, whose LaffBox was stocked with titters, chuckles and recorded during the taping of I Love Lucy - ironically, the TV show Oppenheimer had created.After Roland was awarded the patent for his LaffBox, Oppenheimer scuttled the Jayo Laugher project. But his ingenious prototype - described as being capable of emitting "yocks ranging from snickers to giggles" to laughs of all lengths and intensity, "plus sundry variations of each" - was retired to the Oppenheimer family archive.Douglass's LaffBox went on to provide taped laughter and applause for more than 20,000 TV shows over several decades to follow, including The Beverly Hillbillies, The Munsters, The Brady Bunch and The Andy Griffith Show."Anyone who has ever watched a comedy show on television has probably heard sounds that came from the LaffBox," said Presley. "Charlie Douglass knew he had something special. He was very secretive about its inner workings and guarded it with his life. He kept it padlocked when it wasn't in use." Douglass traveled throughout the world with his LaffBox, Presley said, running the controls for all types of productions, from sitcoms to telethons, major sports events to beauty pageants.Now the two technological marvels of television history - the original Jayo Laugher and LaffBox - are coming together under one roof, to be auctioned as individual lots on day two of Don Presley's June 25-26 sale.In the case of the Jayo Laugher, it will be giving back to the industry whose pionee rs captured lightning in a jar with the beloved I Love Lucy series.Gregg Oppenheimer and his sister, Jo Oppenheimer Davis, are generously donating the entire proceeds from the sale of Jayo Laugher to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

This organization was created by early film luminaries including Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith, to provide assistance to members of the entertainment industry who are down on their luck. To ensure every penny goes to the MPTF, Don Presley Auctions is waiving both the auction house commission and the buyer's premium on the sale of the Jayo Laugher.As for the LaffBox, it has already had a successful test run before an auction audience. At his May sale, Presley had bidders laughing - real laughs - as he experimented with the machine. "When someone won a piece, I'd hit the button for applause," Presley said. "If I told a dumb joke and no one laughed, I could hit another button and avoid embarrassment. It's actually an auctioneer's best friend."But all jokes aside, Presley said the two laugh machines are unquestionably important relics of broadcasting history."Canned laughter may be electronic now, but these two mechanical prototypes were p ioneers in their time. Both should be in the Smithsonian or some other museum that has an American pop culture or 20th-century technology collection."The value of antique technology as an alternative investment should not be underestimated either.

For images and more see Paul Fraser Collectibles: your #1 source for global collectibles news

Paul Fraser has been involved in high-end collectibles for over 35 years, selling more than $300m of rare items, including John Lennon's childhood stamp album to the Smithsonian. Paul Fraser Collectibles offers a free high-end collectibles newsletter service with expert opinion and advice

17th Annual Raleigh Convention Center Boat Show - Outdoors - Boating

The 17th annual Raleigh Convention Center Boat Show has delivered on its promise to be the biggest and most exciting edition yet of this fantastic annual event! The show features all boat models and types with all the amenities at incredible price points! Monterey Boats and Chatlee Marine are certainly one if the premier featured craft in the show. On display this year Chatlee is showing a Monterey 194FS and the 214 FS. With the many lines represented and limited space Monterey is please to be represented. As Monterey and Chatlee grow together I hope to see more models represented and a broader representation of the Monterey line up.

Chatlee marine has a rich history in this region, sporting over forty years in the Sanford/Raleigh, North Carolina market bringing boaters and boats together and building memories. Jeff and Robbie Yow are the mind as well as the muscle behind Chatlee Marine today. Daily you will see Jeff and Robbie driving an excellent force of forty-five employees to make boating fun and enjoyable! Their facility located in Sanford, NC is a boat shoppers dream. Multiple indoor showrooms to store and display your new boat and the six acre test lake get consumers up and running safe and comfortably. The service facility with certified techs on staff as well as fiberglass repair Chatlee has it all!

This is the first year this show has had an opportunity to present in the all new Raleigh Convention center and everyone is glad to be there. Clearly this facility brings to Raleigh a much needed venue for just such an event. Earlier in the week this area was hit with an amazing 6"-8" of snow. I am sure there were some difficulties with the dealers moving into their display space but everyone made it and it all looks great! The snow melted just in time and the weather has been perfect, a great time for the whole family. This year the crowds have been excellent. The show opened Friday with good attendance and Chatlee was able to connect a few Monterey boats and their new owners. Saturday in my opinion had to have broken record in attendance. The day didn't stop and the sales team did an outstanding job. Sunday poses to be as strong as Saturday and consumers are still coming out in droves. The consumer base in Raleigh, like Atlanta, seem to be educated and asking excellent q uestions bringing them closer to their buying decisions. We would love to see them all in a new Monterey boat!

Thanks to all the staff at Chatlee and Monterey boats for making it all possible and a special thanks to Jeff and Robbie Yow, Matthew Mabe, Robert Faulk, Andy Kraft, Charlton Richardson, Kipp "K Dog" Thompson, Marc Zimmerman Jeff Osborne, Matt Wicker, Chris Martin, Logan Griffith & Scott Knuth

A Marine Industry professional for Monterey Boats, Williston, FL. A Kirk Lewellen is a Marine Industry professional for Monterey Boats, Williston, FL. Kirk covers the Mid-Atlantic regional sales trerritory for Monterey Boats. Kirk is an avid boater, fisherman, and pilot.

Famous TV Shows About Lawyers and the Legal Process - Pop Culture and Law - Law

The legal profession is an entertainment topic but if the truth be told we're all fascinated by the inner workings of the legal profession and the people who keep the wheel of justice turning in our country. Some of the most famous television attorneys are listed below.

Perry Mason - Who can forget Perry Mason and his amazing secretary, Della Street. Perry Mason got lucky as an attorney because all his clients were innocent and he always managed to elicit a dramatic courtroom confession out of the real culprit at the last minute. This show set the standard for many other interesting shows to follow in its footsteps. As a side note: Perry Mason is still on television today as reruns.

Matlock - Matlock was also one of the older and wiser generation attorneys whose television show followed right in line with Perry Mason in that all his clients were innocent. Andy Griffith cast as Ben Matlock was a stroke of genius. I don't know about you, but I kept waiting for Barney, Opie, and Aunt Bea to show up somewhere and was always disappointed when they didn't.

JAG - JAG is a show about attorneys with a military twist. The handsome Navy Commander Harmon Rabb, worked along side Marine Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. Their cases focused on military cases and Harmon won his cases by straddling that very fine line between legal and illegal.

The Practice - This show gave us Bobby Donnell. Bobby always seemed conflicted about the choices he was forced to make because of his profession. This show also showed the unethical, seedy side of the law.

Ally McBeal - This zany law firm showed the funny side of not only the law, but the lives of the lawyers in the firm. The quirky characters and their loves and losses in life made this show a must see for millions of viewers.

If you would like more information on your legal rights following a birth injury, it is important to speak with skilled car and trucking accident attorneys, motorcycle injury accident attorneys, and personal injury lawyers in New York City.

Wally Singer is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn.

Famous TV Shows About Lawyers and the Legal Process - Law and Entertainment - Law

Whether humorous or serious, legal process TV shows have always had a small place on television. Today, more and more shows include lawyers and their courtroom fights, usually as they try to do what's right for their client and put the bad guy behind bars. TV shows about lawyers range far back, and will no doubt continue to run on television for a long time.

Perry Mason featured Dick Van Dyke as the skillful attorney Perry Mason. Luckily for Mr. Mason, his clients were always innocent, and he did everything in his power to prove their innocence so they could walk free. At the last moment in the show, suddenly the real culprit was revealed, and all was well. Even today, you may still be able to find Perry Mason on a channel playing reruns.

Matlock was slightly similar to Perry Mason, this time featuring Andy Griffith as the intrepid Ben Matlock. Not only was Matlock a lawyer, but he also took the time to seek out ways to prove his clients' innocence (which they always were) and could occasionally find himself in a bit of trouble with the real antagonist of the show. Matlock is another show you might be able to find reruns of on TV.

JAG stands for Judge Advocate General; this television show featured attorneys and cases, but was centered in the military world. JAG ran for ten seasons before finally falling off the air. The military intrigue and courtroom drama kept many people glued to their television sets for this show. Because the cases were military-based, it provided an interesting change from the typical lawyer television show.

Currently you can enjoy lawyers, court battles, and the legal process on most shows that feature policemen and detectives, such as C.S.I. and Law & Order. Both of these shows focus mostly on solving cases, but they also contain lawyers and occasional meetings in the courtroom.

But remember, these TV shows are all sensationalized works of fiction, and most attorneys do not act in such fashions and courtrooms are not always filled with excitement. The real legal process is usually much more mundane.

If you would like more information on your legal rights, it is important to speak with skilled New York City car and trucking accident attorneys, New York City auto accident attorneys, and personal injury lawyers in New York City.

Watch TV Shows Online Free Full Episodes No Downloads - Technology

Whenever you need to look up about a certain topic, or whenever you are doing some research� Whenever you wish to contact your distant relatives or your lover who's overseas� Whenever you are bored and want to play a game online, to listen to music, or to watch movies and TV shows� The internet has always been there helping you out. Here, now, is how to watch TV shows online free full episodes no downloads.

Well, what you have to do first is to look for a website that offers this type of service. Doing so won't be that difficult anyway since there are a number of sites over the World Wide Web that does just that. Some website enable users to stream a video online, and others enable users to download it for later viewing. There are even sites that feature a collection of links for the best sites that let you watch full TV episodes online, including those of old TV shows that have long been forgotten.

Examples of classic TV shows include The Honeymooners, Friends, Full House, Home Improvement, I Love Lucy, I Married Joan, The Addams Family, The Andy Griffith Show, The Muppet Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Avengers, Good Times, Hawaii Five-O, Happy Days, Growing Pains, MacGyver, The Love Boat, Seinfeld, and Saved ByThe Bell.

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Be careful, though, in choosing your website because not all websites offer this type of service for free. Others require a minimal fee in order to keep the site running, or some ask for a certain amount as subscription fee. But once you have found a promising website, what you should do next is to visit the site and to try to check which movies or television programs they have in their collection. Click on the title of the television show or shows that you want to watch, and start viewing.

But if you want to watch online TV on a bigger screen, such as that of your Plasma TV, then you may do so by simply connecting your personal computer or laptop to your television. You will need a video cable (S-video cable, HDMI cable, or VGA cable) in order to accomplish this.

Indeed, the World Wide Web has always been an ally when it comes to finding information, communicating with distant friends and relatives, and accessing games and other forms of entertainment such as music and movies. This is how to watch TV shows online free full episodes no downloads.

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Go To Watch TV On The Internet or How To Watch TV On Laptop For The Latest Offers.

Watch Classic TV Shows Online - Satellite Direct Online - Technology

If you are looking for classic TV shows, then the internet is the place to look. The World Wide Web holds a vast collection of movies and television shows from the past, be it an old sitcom from the 1970s, a soap opera from the 1980s, or a late night show in the 1990s. Here, now, is how to watch classic TV shows online.

Somewhere in the World Wide Web is a link that will enable you to watch full TV episodes online, including those of old shows that have long been forgotten. What you should do, then, is to find these links. Look for a website that you can trust and that offers this type of service. There are a number of sites that allow users to stream video or to download it for later viewing. While others require a minimal payment or fee, you can also find some sites that offer the service for free.

Examples of classic TV shows include Father Knows Best, Dear John, Cheers, and Adam-12. If you are specifically looking for classic TV shows from the 1950s, then you can try watching The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, I Married Joan, Leave It To Beaver, The Lone Ranger, and The Danny Thomas Show. Classic TV shows from the 1960s include The Addams Family, The Andy Griffith Show, The Avengers, Bewitched, Batman, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan's Island, Green Acres, My Favorite Martian, My Three S ons, Star Trek, and The Twilight Zone.

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As for the 1970s, the list of shows includes All In The Family, The Bob Newhart Show, Charlie's Angels, The Brady Bunch, Good Times, Hawaii Five-O, Happy Days, The Jeffersons, Laverne and Shirley, The Muppet Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Three's Company. Bosom Buddies, The Cosby Show, Dallas, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, The Golden Girls, The Greatest American Hero, Growing Pains, MacGyver, The Love Boat, and Miami Vice are just a few examples of classic TV shows from the 1980s.

The list of TV shows that were popular during the 1990s include The Drew Carey Show, Frasier, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, Full House, Home Improvement, Mad About You, Murphy Brown, Quantum Leap, Saved By The Bell, Seinfeld, and The Wonder Years.

So if you are interested in any one of these shows, then what you should do is to access the World Wide Web and watch classic TV shows online.

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Go To How Can I Watch The Internet On My TV or How To Watch TV From Your Laptop For The Latest Offers.

Publishing For Profits Checklist: Are You Doing These 5 Things?

I am an admitted planner and management tool nut. I have about 7 business planners. I have appointment managers. I have the best books, software, notebooks and planning systems from Franklin Covey, Day Runner and just about anyone else on the market.I have a lot of things to balance -- ministry, family, business, golf ... usually in that order :o) and I need planners and reminders to keep me on track.Emphasis is on the REMINDERS.I even have a software program that sends me emails each day reminding me of important appointments and activities.Reminders are a good thing. Sometimes they jar us back to reality like a bone-shaking tackle by a middle linebacker, but, still, they are a good thing.And publishing this article has been a "good thing" for me. It's been a reminder. A reminder of the important things about publishing.You see, if we're not careful, we get into a "rut" when it comes to publishing, specifically in publishing our NEWSLETTERS. While I am no longer publishi ng an ezine, opting to devote my content to articles, reports and mini-courses, many of my subscribers ARE newsletter publishers.So, I've put together this "checklist" of reminders that I have personally experienced during the past few days as my focus has been refreshed.Ask yourself these 5 questions before publishing your next newsletter issue...1. Are you PASSIONATE? One of the things that has drawn me to blogging is the amazing passion of most bloggers. Those who publish a blog are usually those who just love to talk about their particular interest. It's what they talk about when they are OFFLINE. It's what they think about. It's a part of their lives. And they just want to share it with anyone who is willing to listen.When newsletters "began", that was driving force... passion. And, for many, the passion is still alive. And they'd publish their ezine even if they only had a handful of subscribers who were mostly relatives. Doesn't matter. If someone is willing to listen , they'll talk via a newsletter.The focus isn't on the "numbers" (I.E. How many subscribers do I have on my list) but rather is on the "topic", the thing that they can't seem to get enough of, or give enough of.What about you? Is the passion still there?2. Are you PERSONABLE? Spend enough time here and you'll get to know me. More than what I KNOW as a marketer, you'll learn about what I BELIEVE as a fellow human. You'll also get to know about me and my life. Maybe more than you want to know. You'll learn that I am a committed Christian, that I absolutely love to play golf, I have a wonderful wife and little boy and I can quote just about every episode of the Andy Griffith Show.And, to the great dismay and terror of my buddy Ryan Deiss, I will occasionally eat a potted meat sandwich.See, I told you it might be more than you want to know. :o)The point is this: we're going to connect. Sooner or later, you'll get to know me. And I'll become a part of your life, hopefully as a good, positive source of encouragement and guidance.I don't hide behind a mask. I don't pretend to be something that I'm not. You get the real me. There will be times you love me, there will be times you won't love me as much. But, one thing will be certain, you'll see a real person that you can connect with.More than a publisher, I'm a person.That's what folks want. They don't want a "newsletter publisher" sending them mailings every week. They want a "newsletter person" who will be real with them. Someone who can be personal. Some one they can relate to.Someone like themselves.Will you be that person?3. Are you PROVIDING? Let's be honest here: the only thing that will BRING YOU BACK to a site is whether or not you feel like you have gained something in going there. If you've been educated, you'll be back. If you've been entertained, you'll be back. If you have found something to be beneficial to you, then you'll come back over and over again. And you'll stay as long as you continue to gain something.Newsletters should PROVIDE something to their readers. And that's QUALITY content. That's something that either EDUCATES or ENTERTAINS. Or, preferably, BOTH.As a publisher of a newsletter, do you give of yourself to your readers? More than just trying to get them to buy something or do something... are you doing something for them?4. Are you PROVOCATIVE? Learn this truth right now: the most read newsletters are the ones who are hosted by the most opinionated authors. Those who stand up and share their thou ghts, even when those thoughts are controversial and go against popular opinion will always get attention.I'm not saying "go against the grain" just for the sake of stirring up a hornet's nest. Not saying that at all. I'm just saying "Speak your mind." If you've got something to say, say it. If something's bothering you, get it off your chest. Be authentic. Be real.Don't deliberately try to harm or offend, but don't be afraid to stand up and be counted. Some will agree. Some will disagree. (That's okay... because they are entitled to their opinion too.) But all will READ.The point is this: your newsletter is your mouthpiece. You want to guard it against hurtful words, but you always want it to be honest and forthright, sharing the "truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth" about your passion, whether it's traditional or cutting edge in its opinions.5. Are you PROFITABLE? OK, so not all newsletters are out to produce profits. But, for the sake of this "Publishing for PROF ITS" checklist, let's assume that you ARE trying to make money from your ezine. And let's look at how most profitable newsletters make money (those that ARE trying to produce profits)Here it is in a nutshell: They are money makers, but not money grabbers.Yes, you'll see links to my products on my sites. Yes, you'll see an affiliate link here and there. Yes, I'll try to get you on a list. Yes, sooner or later I'd like you to spend some money with me.There, I said it. It's out in the open. No secret there. I provide you with great content (investing in you) and I hope you'll do more business with me (invest in me) down the road.Now, contrast that with how many newsletters are structured these days (admittedly, some of mine were too): They've got a top sponsor ad trying to get your money. They have a classified ad section trying to get your money. There are ads sprinkled throughout the featured article. The resource box at the bottom of that article leads to another place tryin g to get your money. There is a "review" of a product which is embedded with an affiliate link. There are "recommended resources" plugged in there to get you to buy something. There are special solo mailings coming to you as a list member that are designed to get into your wallet.Get the idea?Now, let me say this, not ALL newsletters are like that. I'm just speaking my mind ... you know, being provocative, expressing my opinion. But, let's be honest, most newsletters that ARE trying to make money tend to be more focused on making money from you as a subscriber than providing useful information to you.The lesson I've learned from the popularity of blogging is that it's time to return to the grass root days of publishing an ezine because you've got passion about a subject and there are interested people who want to read it. Give it to them, sprinkle in a few money-making references, and the profits will come.One of the most profitable newsletter publishers I know of in all of internet marketing was Terry Dean. Want to know how he "bombarded" his subscribers with offers? ONE advertisement per issue. TWO or THREE solo mailings per year.That's it.And that's why he is able to make over $30,000 from ONE of those mailings. He provides GREAT content and FEW offers. And people respond.You come a website for CONTENT. If we stop providing it, or start giving you so many sales pitches that you have a hard time finding it, you'll stop coming around. And rightly so.People subscribe to newsletters for the same reason. They want information. Give it to them and sooner or later most will give you their business. Hide it under a mountain of ads and offers and they'll go elsewhere. And who can blame them.So, those are reminders that I have personally had my mind refreshed to recently. And I think I'll be a better publisher because of it.And I think you will too, if you just ask yourself these five questions before you publish your next ezine.