Tuesday, April 8, 2008

History Center and Inecom Entertainment Company

Pittsburgh, PA - April 8, 2008 - The Senator John Heinz History Center will host the world premiere of an engaging new feature-length documentary film, Westinghouse, on Sunday, April 13th at 1 p.m.

Produced and distributed by Pittsburgh-based Inecom Entertainment Company, the film focuses on the life and legacy of George Westinghouse, an integral part of Western Pennsylvania's 250-year history of innovation.

"George Westinghouse is possibly the most important American of all time who has been lost to history," said Mark Bussler, producer and director of the film. "He is the role model that American students need today to face the engineering trials of the future, and we are excited at the interest we've already seen in the film and look forward to an entertaining and educational event at the History Center."

In the fall of 2007, the George Westinghouse Museum officially merged with the History Center. As a Smithsonian affiliated museum and Pennsylvania's largest history museum, the History Center tells the complete Westinghouse story to the broadest possible audience, preserving the Westinghouse legacy for future generations.

The History Center's collection includes signature artifacts such as the Westinghouse families' gold trimmed dinner glasses and Tiffany plates used during elegant dinner parties; patent models showing various design implementations for the Westinghouse air brake; and a Mazda light bulb display that documents the important role Westinghouse played in lighting the world at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

"In many ways, George Westinghouse is the archetypical Pittsburgh innovator," said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. "His contributions helped to shape Pittsburgh's 250-year history and his inventions have changed the world. As the home of the world's largest collection of Westinghouse artifacts, the History Center showcases the Westinghouse story like no other place."

Following the film's premiere, a group of panelists will answer questions from the audience and discuss the life and contributions of George Westinghouse, as well as the making of the film. The panel will include:
  • Mark Bussler, producer/director, Westinghouse

  • Carol Lee Espy, narrator, Westinghouse

  • Edward J. Reis, Westinghouse historian, Senator John Heinz History Center

  • David Cope, World's Fair historian

  • Quentin R. Skrabec, Jr., Ph.D., author, George Westinghouse: Gentle Genius

  • William H. Terbo, grand-nephew of Nikola Tesla
The event is free with Heinz History Center admission. To RSVP for the film screening, contact Sandra L. Baker at 412-454-6412 or slbaker@hswp.org.

About The Senator John Heinz History Center
The Senator John Heinz History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a museum within a museum, comprehensively presenting the region's remarkable sports story through hundreds of artifacts and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in the city's Strip District, and are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission includes both the History Center and Sports Museum: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors over 61, $5 for students with ID, $5 for children ages 6-18, and free to members and children under 6. More information is available at http://www.pghhistory.org/.

About Inecom Entertainment Company
Inecom Entertainment Company finances and distributes independent films by partnering with innovative producers and attracting celebrated talent such as Gene Wilder, David Carradine, Keith Carradine, Richard Dreyfuss, Ronald F. Maxwell and Hal Holbrook. Inecom’s films consistently receive positive reviews from key media outlets such as ABC Radio Network, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle. Inecom films have also received "4-star" and "highly recommended" reviews from notable industry professionals at publications such as Booklist, Home Media Retailing, Library Journal, Video Business and Video Librarian.

To speak with the History Center's Andy Masich, please contact Mike Mackin at 412-454-6459 or mkmackin@hswp.org.
For interviews with Inecom Entertainment Company's Mark Bussler, please contact Julie Halapchuk at 412-967-2700 x3029 or jhalapch@inecom.com.