I'm thinking of once standard companies and standard personalities that no longer are:

Signal Oil, Roma Wines, Lowell Thomas, Pitney Bowes, IBM, Zenith, Rand McNally (almost), Braniff, etc. You get the idea. I thought it would be fun and might stimulate some stories.

IBM still exists and 2010 was one of their most profitable years ever. They had problems in the early 90's but they fixed those problems by getting out of the hardware business and focusing exclusively on software.

I know what you've been doing. Partially.


MUSIC:

Theme music up and play throughout opening.

Announcer:

Roma Wine presents (dramatically) SUSPENSE.
Roma Wine, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.

Voice 1 (Woman):

Salut!

FX:

CLINKING OF GLASSES

Voice 2:

(Man) (Slightly Spanish sounding) To your health, senora!

Announcer:

Roma Wine toasts the world. The wine for your table is Roma Wine, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.

......

Announcer:

Before we take you to the scene of tonight's story, let's take a little journey of a different kind. We'll let a bottle of Roma Wine serve as Alladin's flying carpet. I touch the label and--Presto!--we are all transported to that capital of gaiety, Havana, Cuba.

MUSIC:

PIANO BAR MUSIC UP SOFTLY IN BACKGROUND

And now we find ourselves in the charming Pan-American Club. At a table nearby and American tourist has just voiced her delight at the uncommon beauty of the scene. And then her Cuban companion responds...

Cuban Voice:

You in America also have much that is uncommon to boast of. Such as this marvelous tasting wine we are enjoying this minute. To enjoy this uncommon fine quality, Cuban imports this wine from your distant California. It is your superb Roma Wine.

MUSIC:

PIANO FADES OUT AS ANNOUNCER CONTINUES

Announcer:

Now just realize what it means when other countries import Roma Wine from such great distances. Such international esteem must mean that Roma Wines are truly magnificent in quality. And then consider this: You here in America need pay no high import duty nor expensive shipping charges. For these fine Roma Wines come from Roma's own wineries in the heart of the rich California wine grape district. Because so many Americans do realize this good fortune, Roma Wines are America's largest selling wines. So why deny yourself this taste delight? Try an expensive bottle of tangy, appetizing Roma Sherry, or a hearty Roma Burgundy, or any of the marvelously enjoyable Roma Wines. But remember, these days your dealer may be temporarily out of the type you prefer. Then, please try again. Ask for R-O-M-A, Roma Wine. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.


GKC

You have a terrific memory, GKC. I love Suspense. I wonder if there are any surviving ROMA wines.

Doom, I'm glad IBM has survived.

My father used to sell Motorola TVs. We used to buy from Standard oil. I used to buy most of my maps from Rand McNally.

Roma is out of business, was sold, businesses merged, and now gone with the wind.

Signal Oil did some mergers, take overs and is whatever remains is now Honeywell.

Currently listening to some Whistlers, so Signal is in my mind, too.

I too miss the old standard brands. Now Nabisco, of course.

GKC