Fathers and Sons 

Some thirty years ago (a little more really), the world was a different place. Do you remember 1979?

An average house was a little shy of $60,000, and a gallon of gas was about 86 cents. The Sony Walkman was brand new and cost $200! (Are you old enough to remember the Sony Walkman?). Three Mile Island scared us all silly, and hostages were taken in Iran. Twenty three people were killed by a tsunami in France, and in the Sahara Desert it actually snowed (for thirty minutes).

And here in Michigan, a handsome young man, dazzling and funny as a magician, famous from his appearances on television with Bozo the Clown, and a hero to the students he taught everyday at Churchill High School in Livonia, decided to take a chance. He decided to gamble a lot on what was then a crazy and unheard of idea. He had this wild idea that you could do a show for kids. A show that would be not only fun and entertaining, but also... wait for it... educational!

While it may seem quite conventional now, in 1979, no one had really heard of any such thing. School shows were composed of jugglers, clowns and magicians.They were a welcome and entertaining break in the humdrum of the school year, but merely entertainment just the same.

Well, this daring young man had a dream. A dream that entertainment could be used to get kids excited about the very things they were supposed to be learning.

So with a few dollars, and a lot of vision and energy, this young man took on what was seen at that time as the subject kids were supposed to hate ... science!

Starting with a single show, a show about light, this brave and adventurous artist began to tour this early show to schools around Michigan. A few at first, but then more. Word began to spread. A few more schools came on board. And then more. Soon weeks were filling with dates. School after school, all clamoring for this great new art form.

Another show, this time about Chemistry, sprang from the fervent mind of our feverish hero. Soon, schools in other states were calling. Ohio, then Indiana. Pennsylvania. New York, Illinois. California!

More new shows followed. Branching out now into Social Studies with programs about Literature and History, the fledgling company grew and grew and grew.

Soon other entertainers began to copy the format. A new cottage industry was born. Not as earth shattering, perhaps, as the one founded earlier by another Michigan native named Ford, but, still, in it's own way, just as important. For what can possibly be more important than lighting the lamp of learning for generation after generation?

The young man's name was Larry Thompson. He may still be remembered by some as Mr. Whoodini from the old Bozo days. But, without doubt, if you live in the Midwest, and even in many other places, you have been affected by his vision, and the company he started. Mobile Ed Productions is, today, not only one of the oldest companies producing and performing educational school assemblies, but it has spawned a world of imitators and copycats. Together, these companies have now influenced generation after generation, with audience members ranging into the countless millions.

So today, we wish Mr. Thompson a happy, happy Fathers Day! For, you see, not only is he the metaphorical “father” of a company and an industry, he is also a literal father. And right now, his son, Ryan Thompson, a young man of energy, vision and a talent to match that of his “old man”, is stepping up to the plate. Having quite literally grown up in and around Mobile Ed programs, first as a little boy chasing around the office, and later as a performer, and having established himself as a vibrant talent in his own right, both as graphic designer, writer, producer and feature film director, Ryan is now joining forces with Mobile Ed. Not to replace his dad (who is far from ready to hang up his creative shoes!) but to stand beside his father, bringing new vision and energy to a proud company working into it's fourth decade of success.

The Lamp of Learning is burning brightly tonight!

And, so, from your sons, your students, your performers and all the staff here at Mobile Ed Productions, and, most of all, from the countless millions of children everywhere who have benefited from your vision and your inspriration ...

Happy Fathers Day, Larry!

Thanks for it all!

And, from Mobile Ed Productions, your educational school assembly company, a warm and happy Fathers Day to all the fathers everywhere!

Geoff Beauchamp is the Regional Manager of Mobile Ed Productions where "Education Through Entertainment" has been the guiding principal since 1979. Mobile Ed Productions produces and markets quality educational school assembly programs in the fields of science, history, writing, astronomy, natural science, mathematics, character issues and a variety of other curriculum based areas. In addition, Mr. Beauchamp is a professional actor with 30 years of experience in film, television and on stage. He created and still performs occasionally in Mobile Ed's THE LIVING LINCOLN.