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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
The Man Who Loved the Edsel So Much That He Bought Three
I like oddball cars, what some people call orphan cars. These are car brands that no longer exist, like Studebaker and Pontiac. I have a collection of unusual stuff and as I was building it, I realized I did not have any cars from Ford Motor Company. What would be more appropriate than an Edsel? Edsel was a division of Ford that only existed for three model years, and an orphan car that is different from just about everything else on the road. The story starts back in the 1950s, when the economy was booming and car sales were high. Ford executives decided to expand their product line. The thinking was, they wanted a car that was different than anything else, a distinct car you could spot a block away and instantly know what it was. They wanted this car to be state of the art. Kirkel believes his 1959 Edsel was used as a jewelry-store thieves' getaway car, before they were busted in Nebraska. The restored 1959 Edsel's interior, with furry dice added. The name comes from Henry Ford's son Edsel Ford, who was president of the company before he died in 1943. When the Edsel came out in September of 1957 as a 1958 model, the company left no stone unturned. They were planning for the long haul, and there was tremendous fanfare. Ford marked the launch by calling for a nationwide 'E-Day,' on Sept. 4, 1957. There were problems right away, however. For one, a recession hit about the same time as the car, hurting sales. The Edsel had been rushed to market, and it got a bad reputation due to reliability problems. Some people complained about the styling, that the vertical grille looked like a horse collar or even a toilet seat. After model year 1960, the car was discontinued. For years, the Edsel has been held up as an example of failure. But collectors have come around to these cars. When I decided I wanted one, I joined an Edsel club so I could meet people and find out what cars might be out there. About 10 years ago, I was going through the Edsel club newsletter when I came across an ad for a 1959 Edsel Corsair convertible. I called the guy, who was in Nebraska. He told me about the history and the pictures looked good, so I bought the car and had him ship it to me. I can still remember the day it arrived. The car has a fascinating history. According to the story I was told, it was used as a jewelry store heist getaway car, in California. The thieves got as far as Nebraska, where they were caught, and the car ended up in a police impound lot, where it sat outside for 25 years. The guy I bought the car from bought it at a police auction, and he had restored it. 'The thing about this car is, it's like a bag of pretzels,' says Kirkel. 'You can't just eat one.'Kirkel's 1959 Edsel was the first he bought. The thing about this car is, it's like a bag of pretzels. You can't just eat one. Today, I own one Edsel for each of the three years of production: a 1958 Edsel Corsair, the 1959 jewelry store heist car, and a 1960 Edsel Ranger convertible, which is probably the most desirable, as only 76 of these models were built that year, before production ceased. In 1960, the car came without the vertical grille. Apparently, Henry Ford II told his executives, 'I don't care what you do with this car, but get rid of the horse collar grille!' I also built a replica of an Edsel dealership in a barn on my property. These cars are reasonably priced in the collector-car market, and of course, prices range according to the condition. I take my Edsels to car shows, and sometimes I just like to look at them. The Edsel was thought of as a failure in its day, but these cars bring a lot of joy to people now. The Man Who Loved the Edsel So Much That He Bought Three The Man Who Loved the Edsel So Much That He Bought Three The Man Who Loved the Edsel So Much That He Bought Three
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Microsoft schedules 'Gears of War Reloaded' launch for Aug 26: Details here
Microsoft has announced the global launch date for Gears of War: Reloaded, a remastered edition of the classic 2006 title. The game will be released on August 26 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation, and PCs, priced at $40. The multiplayer-focused title promises upgraded performance and visuals, including 4K resolution and support for up to 120 frames per second (FPS). 'Gears of War: Reloaded includes the full breadth of content from the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, delivering the most complete version of the original game to date,' noted Xbox in the launch announcement. The company added: 'Players will gain immediate access to all post-launch downloadable content at no additional cost — this includes the bonus Campaign act, all multiplayer maps and modes, and a full roster of classic characters and cosmetics unlockable through progression.' Gears of War: Reloaded – What's new The remaster has been re-engineered to provide a visually immersive and seamless experience across platforms. The game supports 4K resolution at 60 FPS in Campaign mode, and up to 120 FPS in Multiplayer. Visual upgrades include High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dolby Vision, remastered 4K textures, improved shadows and reflections, and enhanced post-processing effects. The game also features super-resolution with improved anti-aliasing, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smoother gameplay. The audio experience is enhanced through 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and 3D Spatial Audio. Xbox also highlighted the presence of zero loading screens in Campaign mode, contributing to uninterrupted gameplay. Gears of War: Reloaded – Plot summary Set on the war-torn planet of Sera, the story unfolds after the discovery of Imulsion, a powerful energy source that triggered economic turmoil and a global conflict known as the Pendulum Wars, which lasted 79 years. Amid this unrest, the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG), a once-obscure political philosophy, gained influence. Its military unit, the "Gears," rose to prominence after Emergence Day (E-Day), when a subterranean species called the Locust launched a devastating assault on humanity. Following the chaos of E-Day, the COG imposed martial law and led the resistance. One year later, in a desperate move, it deployed the Hammer of Dawn—a satellite-powered weapon—on its own cities to halt the Locust advance. Survivors were evacuated to the Jacinto Plateau, the only region immune to Locust tunnelling.
South China Morning Post
03-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong start-up's bento vending machines make the leap to Japan
04:09 Hong Kong start-up Wada FoodTech takes groundbreaking bento vending machines to Japan Hong Kong start-up Wada FoodTech takes groundbreaking bento vending machines to Japan As entrepreneurs in Hong Kong embark on their growth journeys, they can turn to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for guidance along the way. As part of its mission to promote Hong Kong as a hub for global investment and business, the HKTDC works with start-ups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to create tangible opportunities for them to expand internationally, in addition to providing business information and advisory services. Jason Chen, CEO of Wada FoodTech, says the Hong Kong Trade Development Council was instrumental in helping his company's expansion into Japan. One such start-up that has benefited from its support is Wada FoodTech, a smart catering solutions provider originally based in Hong Kong's Cyberport business park but which now has additional offices in Tokyo and Osaka. The company, which uses the brand name Wada Bento, has developed decentralised food vending machines that serve hot meal boxes to hungry customers in as little as nine seconds. Advertisement Established in 2018, Wada FoodTech helps optimise food management across the catering supply chain. Its recent expansion in Japan – a country famous for its bento boxes and vending machines – is testament to the strength of both the firm's offering and strategy. Wada Bento hot meal vending machines, originally developed in Hong Kong by Wada FoodTech, are now being used in Japan. Photo: Wada FoodTech In early December, the HKTDC held its annual Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This event serves as a platform for entrepreneurs to tap into global markets, offering opportunities for networking and business matching along with support services tailor-made for start-ups. The 2024 edition of E-Day also featured the InnoClub Awards, which spotlight groundbreaking start-ups and SMEs from the Greater Bay Area. WadaFood Tech received the InnoClub Industry Impact Award in recognition of its innovative digitised model for food service, which leverages patented hot-chain vending machines and AIoT, or 'artificial intelligence and Internet of Things' technology, to strengthen food safety controls while also boosting efficiency. In addition, WadaFood Tech signed a memorandum of understanding with Harada Corporation during E-Day. The Japanese general trading company has experience in a wide array of businesses, including food innovations, that can help the Wada Bento brand strengthen its presence in the Japanese market. Advertisement Wada FoodTech, which also showcased its technology at the event, said the partnership reflected the company's commitment to expanding its vending machine operations in Japan, with a focus on Tokyo and Osaka.
South China Morning Post
24-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Next wave of disruptors unveiled at Start-up Express International 2024
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Advertisement The Start-up Express International 2024, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), showcased some of the most promising start-ups from 11 countries. Seven winners and eight finalists gathered in Hong Kong to present their innovative tech solutions across fintech, medtech, AI and sustainability. Held as part of Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) 2024, the event reinforced Hong Kong's status as a leading innovation and business hub, providing a platform for entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders to collaborate and explore scaling opportunities in the region. The judging process was highly competitive, with experts assessing start-ups based on innovation, scalability, market potential, and sustainability. The panel comprised senior executives from Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) and Gobi Partners, who not only selected the winners but also shared valuable insights into Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem and expansion opportunities during a panel discussion. Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director at HKTDC, opens the Start-up Express International 2024 panel discussion, noting that Hong Kong's thriving ecosystem, government funding and business-friendly environment make it the perfect launchpad for start-ups. Start-up Express International 2024 global winners take the stage during a discussion session at Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) in Hong Kong, presenting their cutting-edge solutions in fintech, medtech, greentech, AI, sustainability and more. From left: AquaViolet (Singapore), EntoSus (Germany), Everybaby (Ireland), GeoVista (South Korea), Qaiver Fintech (Qatar), Wuxi Yingzhui Technology Development (Mainland China) and Zoala (Singapore). 'Hong Kong serves as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area and beyond. With a thriving ecosystem, government funding and ease of business, we provide the perfect launchpad for start-ups,' said Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director at HKTDC, in his opening address to the panel global challenges in water purification, air quality and sustainability continue to grow, innovative start-ups such as AquaViolet and Bioteos are developing cutting-edge solutions to address these issues. Advertisement AquaViolet is a Singapore-based deep-tech start-up that has developed UVx disinfection technology, a light-based purification system enhancing water safety and sustainability by eliminating pathogens with multi-band ultraviolet technology.
