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{{Short description|American inventor (born 1951)}}
{{Cleanup|date=October 2008}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox person
|name=Ken Hakuta
|birth_name=Paik Kun (白健)
|native_name = 白田 健
|native_name_lang = ja
|birth_date={{Birth year and age|1951}}
|birth_place=[[Seoul]], South Korea
|death_date=
|death_place=
|occupation=Businessman, [[Invention|inventor]], [[television personality]]
|relatives=[[Nam June Paik]] (uncle)<br/>[[Ali Wong]] (Former daughter-in-law)
|children=3
|spouse=Marilou Cantiller
|other_names=Dr. Fad
}}


'''Ken Hakuta''', known as "Dr. Fad" since 1983, is an [[United States|American]] [[inventor]] and television personality. Hakuta, as Dr. Fad, was the host of the popular kids [[invention]] [[TV show]], ''[[The Dr. Fad Show]]'', which ran from 1988 to 1994. The show featured kids' inventions, and promoted creativity and inventiveness in children. Hakuta was the organizer of four Fad Fairs, conventions of inventors with fun, wacky ideas, in [[Detroit]], [[New York]] and [[Philadelphia]]. He received the Inventor of the Year Award from the [[Franklin Institute]] in Philadelphia.
'''Ken Hakuta''' (born 1951), known as '''Dr. Fad''' since 1983, is an American businessman, inventor, and television personality. Hakuta, as Dr. Fad, was the host of the popular children's invention TV show ''The Dr. Fad Show'', which ran from 1988 to 1994. The show featured children's inventions and promoted creativity and inventiveness in children. Hakuta was the organizer of four Fad Fairs, conventions of inventors with fun, wacky ideas, in Detroit, New York City and Philadelphia.


== Overview ==
Hakuta is the creator of the [[Wacky Wall Walker]], one of the best selling toys of the 1980s. The Wacky Wall Walker became a fad hit in 1983, and over 240 million units have sold. Their popularity peaked after the [[Kellogg Company]] inserted them as free prizes in cereal boxes. The [[VH1]] program "[[I Love the 80s|I Love the 80s: 1983]]" features Dr. Fad and the Wall Walkers.
Hakuta imported and merchandised the [[Wacky Wall Walker]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/new-nam-june-paik-show-manila-shows-growth-contemporary-art-market-philippines-1397119|title=In Manila, a New Nam June Paik Show Is Taken as a Sign of the Growth of the Contemporary Art Market in the Philippines|date=November 15, 2018|website=artnet News|language=en-US|access-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{ cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0811/rfad.html |title=Got a zany product idea? Call Dr. Fad |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=August 11, 1988 |access-date=August 16, 2017 }}</ref> one of the best selling toys of the 1980s. The Wacky Wall Walker became a fad hit in 1983, and over 240 million units have sold. In 1983, [[NBC]] aired an animated [[Christmas special]], ''[[Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls]]'', to capitalize on the toy fad.<ref name=Woolery>{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987 |date=1989 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-2198-2 |access-date=June 6, 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/animatedtvspecia0000wool/page/108/mode/2up |pages=108–109}}</ref> Their popularity peaked after the [[Kellogg Company]] inserted them as free prizes in cereal boxes. The [[VH1]] program "[[I Love the '80s (U.S. TV series)|I Love the 80s: 1983]]" features Dr. Fad and the Wall Walkers.


Hakuta is also an art collector<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://harvardmagazine.com/2018/07/paik-and-photography-at-harvard|title=Silver, Screens|last=Nguyen|first=Sophia|date=July 31, 2018|website=Harvard Magazine|language=en|access-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref> and is particularly known for a large group of [[Shakers|Shaker]] items, furniture and other pieces, that he purchased in 1991. These are now part of the so-called [[Mount Lebanon Shaker Society]] collection.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093644/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-01-19/news/9701190281_1_shaker-sect-ken-hakuta-wacky-wallwalker ''Chicago Tribune'']</ref>
In 1991, Hakuta purchased a large group of [[Shaker]] items - furniture and other pieces - that are now called the Mt. Lebanon Shaker collection.


In 1998, Hakuta built on his long-standing interest in herbal medicine to found [[AllHerb.com]], an [[eCommerce]] company offering herbal remedy products and information. AllHerb.com sought to differentiate itself from other competitors in the space by positioning itself as "the most authentic resource for herbal medicine available today"; for instance, one of its spokespeople was a [[shaman]], tribal healer, and herbalist from the [[Peru]]vian [[rainforest]]. AllHerb.com ceased operations in February 2000, leaving the space to larger competitors such as [[MotherNature.com]] and [[Vitamins.com]].
In 1998, Hakuta built on his long-standing interest in herbal medicine to found AllHerb.com, an [[eCommerce]] company offering herbal remedy products and information. AllHerb.com sought to differentiate itself from other competitors in the space by positioning itself as "the most authentic resource for herbal medicine available today"; for instance, one of its spokespeople was a [[shaman]], tribal healer, and herbalist from the [[Peru]]vian [[rainforest]]. AllHerb.com ceased operations in February 2000.<ref>[http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=26084 Hbs.edu]</ref>


Hakuta has been featured in numerous media such as: ''[[The Washington Post]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'', ''[[The Detroit Free Press]]'', ''[[USA Today]]'', ''[[Time Magazine|TIME]]'', ''[[Newsweek Magazine|Newsweek]]'', ''[[Forbes]]'', ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'', ''[[Inc]]'', ''[[Entrepreneurship]]'', ''[[Business Week]]'', ''[[CBS Evening News]]'', ''[[60 Minutes]]'', ''[[48 Hours (TV series)|48 Hours]]'', ''[[Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous]]'', ''[[Oprah]]'', ''[[Geraldo]]'', ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]'', ''[[Tonight Show]]'', ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', ''[[Larry King]]'', and numerous radio shows around the country. There are two [[Harvard Business School]] case studies on AllHerb.com: "Ken Hakuta: AllHerb.com" and "AllHerb.com: Evolution of an E-tailer."
Hakuta has been featured in numerous media including: ''[[The Washington Post]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'', ''[[USA Today]]'', ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', ''[[Newsweek Magazine|Newsweek]]'', ''[[Forbes]]'', ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'', ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'', ''[[Entrepreneurship]]'', ''[[Business Week]]'', ''[[CBS Evening News]]'', ''[[60 Minutes]]'', ''[[48 Hours (TV series)|48 Hours]]'', ''[[Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous]]'', ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Oprah]]'', ''[[Geraldo Rivera|Geraldo]]'', ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]'', ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', ''[[The Don and Mike Show]]'', ''[[Larry King]]'', and numerous radio shows around the country. There are two [[Harvard Business School]] case studies on AllHerb.com: "Ken Hakuta: AllHerb.com" and "AllHerb.com: Evolution of an E-tailer".


== Personal life ==
⚫
==External links==
Hakuta was born in Seoul, South Korea. His Korean name is Paik Kun ({{Korean|hangul=백건|labels=no}}), and he was born as the first child of Paik Nam-il, who was the CEO of a textile manufacturing company originally owned by his father, Paik Nag-seung, who was accused in 2002 of having been a [[Chinilpa]], or traitor and collaborator with the Japanese during their [[Japanese occupation of Korea|occupation of Korea]]. The textile manufacturing company was the biggest of its kind during the Japanese colonial era in Korea. His family [[Koreans in Japan|relocated to Japan]] in 1951, where they changed [[Baek|their Korean surname]] to a [[Japanese name]] based on the original [[Hanja|Chinese character]] (白). Ken Hakuta subsequently grew up in Japan. He received his Master of Business Administration from [[Harvard University]] in 1977. Hakuta married Marilou Cantiller, a [[Filipina]] he met while the pair worked at the [[World Bank]], in 1977. The pair have three children: Justin, Kenzo, and Aki.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.earnthenecklace.com/ali-wong-husband-justin-hakuta-birthday-parents-kids-facts/ |title=Justin Hakuta: Everything You Need to Know about Ali Wong's Husband |website=earnthenecklace.com |date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> Justin is the former husband of comedian [[Ali Wong]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yourtango.com/2018314916/who-is-ali-wong-husband-new-details-about-justin-hakuta|title=Who Is Ali Wong's Husband? New Details On Justin Hakuta|date=July 3, 2018|website=YourTango|language=en|access-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref>
⚫
*{{imdb name|id=0354654|name=Ken Hakuta}}

Hakuta is the nephew of the video artist [[Nam June Paik]] and was the manager of Paik's [[New York City]] studio at the time of his death.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/31/arts/design/31paik.html?_r=0 ''The New York Times'']</ref> He is the [[executor]] of his uncle's estate.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

⚫
== External links ==
⚫
* {{IMDb name|id=0354654|name=Ken Hakuta}}

{{Nam June Paik}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hakuta, Ken}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hakuta, Ken}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:20th-century American inventors]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American inventors]]
[[Category:American people of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:American people of Korean descent]]
[[Category:American retail company founders]]
[[Category:American toy industry businesspeople]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Seoul]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in online retailing]]
[[Category:Harvard Business School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 23 December 2024

Ken Hakuta
白田 健
Born
Paik Kun (白健)

1951 (age 72–73)
Seoul, South Korea
Other namesDr. Fad
Occupation(s)Businessman, inventor, television personality
SpouseMarilou Cantiller
Children3
RelativesNam June Paik (uncle)
Ali Wong (Former daughter-in-law)

Ken Hakuta (born 1951), known as Dr. Fad since 1983, is an American businessman, inventor, and television personality. Hakuta, as Dr. Fad, was the host of the popular children's invention TV show The Dr. Fad Show, which ran from 1988 to 1994. The show featured children's inventions and promoted creativity and inventiveness in children. Hakuta was the organizer of four Fad Fairs, conventions of inventors with fun, wacky ideas, in Detroit, New York City and Philadelphia.

Overview

[edit]

Hakuta imported and merchandised the Wacky Wall Walker,[1][2] one of the best selling toys of the 1980s. The Wacky Wall Walker became a fad hit in 1983, and over 240 million units have sold. In 1983, NBC aired an animated Christmas special, Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls, to capitalize on the toy fad.[3] Their popularity peaked after the Kellogg Company inserted them as free prizes in cereal boxes. The VH1 program "I Love the 80s: 1983" features Dr. Fad and the Wall Walkers.

Hakuta is also an art collector[4] and is particularly known for a large group of Shaker items, furniture and other pieces, that he purchased in 1991. These are now part of the so-called Mount Lebanon Shaker Society collection.[5]

In 1998, Hakuta built on his long-standing interest in herbal medicine to found AllHerb.com, an eCommerce company offering herbal remedy products and information. AllHerb.com sought to differentiate itself from other competitors in the space by positioning itself as "the most authentic resource for herbal medicine available today"; for instance, one of its spokespeople was a shaman, tribal healer, and herbalist from the Peruvian rainforest. AllHerb.com ceased operations in February 2000.[6]

Hakuta has been featured in numerous media including: The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Detroit Free Press, USA Today, Time, Newsweek, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Entrepreneurship, Business Week, CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Oprah, Geraldo, Today Show, The Tonight Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Don and Mike Show, Larry King, and numerous radio shows around the country. There are two Harvard Business School case studies on AllHerb.com: "Ken Hakuta: AllHerb.com" and "AllHerb.com: Evolution of an E-tailer".

Personal life

[edit]

Hakuta was born in Seoul, South Korea. His Korean name is Paik Kun (백건), and he was born as the first child of Paik Nam-il, who was the CEO of a textile manufacturing company originally owned by his father, Paik Nag-seung, who was accused in 2002 of having been a Chinilpa, or traitor and collaborator with the Japanese during their occupation of Korea. The textile manufacturing company was the biggest of its kind during the Japanese colonial era in Korea. His family relocated to Japan in 1951, where they changed their Korean surname to a Japanese name based on the original Chinese character (白). Ken Hakuta subsequently grew up in Japan. He received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University in 1977. Hakuta married Marilou Cantiller, a Filipina he met while the pair worked at the World Bank, in 1977. The pair have three children: Justin, Kenzo, and Aki.[7] Justin is the former husband of comedian Ali Wong.[8]

Hakuta is the nephew of the video artist Nam June Paik and was the manager of Paik's New York City studio at the time of his death.[9] He is the executor of his uncle's estate.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "In Manila, a New Nam June Paik Show Is Taken as a Sign of the Growth of the Contemporary Art Market in the Philippines". artnet News. November 15, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  2. ^ "Got a zany product idea? Call Dr. Fad". The Christian Science Monitor. August 11, 1988. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  3. ^ Woolery, George W. (1989). Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987. Scarecrow Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN 0-8108-2198-2. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Nguyen, Sophia (July 31, 2018). "Silver, Screens". Harvard Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  5. ^ Chicago Tribune
  6. ^ Hbs.edu
  7. ^ "Justin Hakuta: Everything You Need to Know about Ali Wong's Husband". earnthenecklace.com. August 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "Who Is Ali Wong's Husband? New Details On Justin Hakuta". YourTango. July 3, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  9. ^ The New York Times
[edit]
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