Everybook Inc. Unveils World's First True Electronic Book at State Library of PA.

HARRISBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1998--Everybook Inc. Tuesday unveiled the world's first true electronic book and announced key working relationships with Adobe Systems Inc., Advanced Micro Devices, several high-tech Pennsylvania companies and Pennsylvania and out-of-state universities.

At a news conference in the State Library -- hosted on behalf of Gov. Tom Ridge by Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok and Secretary of Community & Economic Development Sam McCullough -- Everybook CEO Daniel Munyan displayed production prototypes of the patented EB Dedicated Reader (TM).

"The Study Model EB, which is the size of a textbook, provides storage of up to 200 illustrated college textbooks on a secure, removable storage device the size of a credit card," said Munyan. "The EB uses simple touch and stylus methods of turning pages, opening and book marking, browsing, purchasing and downloading publications. It contains no buttons, switches, or confusing commands."

Munyan recognized the contribution of major high-tech corporations including Adobe Systems, Advanced Micro Devices, Dynapro and Tottori-Sanyo.

"Adobe is pleased to support Everybook in its efforts to develop a high-fidelity electronic book that is true to traditional paper and centered around Adobe's industry leading publishing technologies," said Chuck Myers, Adobe Systems' director of business development.

According to Munyan, "The EB Dedicated Reader(TM) is designed, developed and manufactured in Pennsylvania because of the world-class firms located here and because of our proximity to major publishing centers in New York and Washington, D.C. Everybook also found internationally known capital market partners in PNC Capital Market Group."

Representatives on hand at the news conference from the Pennsylvania companies involved with Everybook included JFK Associates of Malvern, World Electronics of Reading, Edge Product Development Corp. of Newtown and Crescent Industries of New Freedom.

Crescent Industries was given special mention for environmental innovation. The EB Dedicated Reader(TM) is first electronic product to be made from recycled plastic. This feature adds to the significant pollution reduction promised by the elimination of paper, ink and traditional book production.

"The cutting-edge technological nature of the product, its home grown manufacture and its national and international market potential represent just the kind of economic initiative the Ridge Administration is encouraging in building the new Pennsylvania and making our state a world leader in today's global economy," said Secretary McCullough.

Secretary Hickok praised the educational potential of the EB Dedicated Reader(TM) and noted that it was particularly appropriate that the book was unveiled at the State Library.

"The creators of the reader did most of their research in developing the electronic book here at the State Library of Pennsylvania," Hickok said. "They and we, see the electronic book as an extension of our libraries, helping to preserve the printed word for the ages and providing a new way to electronically access the treasures found on our shelves.

"Everybook is also developing working relationships with a number of Pennsylvania educational institutions and will make a variety of printed educational materials available to students as production progresses."