Noted Information Scientist Does About-face with “Breakaway Nightie”®

Cuadra abandons knowledge management software for novelty products

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In 2012, Dr. Carlos A. Cuadra, internationally recognized pioneer in the
field of library and information science and once described as the “Pope
of Information Science,” stepped down from Cuadra Associates, Inc., the
knowledge management software company he established and headed for 34
years. With a sharp change of focus, he started a new company—Cuadra
Enterprises, Inc. —to create and distribute innovative novelty products,
in particular the Breakaway Nightie, a disposable garment designed
specifically to be torn off the wearer with the willing consent of the
wearer.

Cuadra established the Annual Review of Information Science and
Technology and served as Editor for its first 10 years. He was
appointed by three U.S. presidents—Nixon, Ford and Carter—to serve on
the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. In 1972,
he created SDC Search Service, one of the world’s first online
information services and a predecessor of the Internet. In 1978, he
co-founded Cuadra Associates, Inc. to create and sell knowledge
management software, and he served as its president until 2012. He also
served on the Board of Directors of the Information Industry Association
and the Governing Board of the American Chemical Society.

The Breakaway Nightie, featured at BreakawayNightie.com,
is made of lightweight non-woven fabric and is intended as a gag gift
suitable for birthdays, holiday-season gatherings, and social events
such as engagements, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties,
and weddings.

“It began as a party joke,” says Cuadra. “At social gatherings, I would
sometimes refer to the Nightie—which did not yet exist—without any
elaboration, just to see what reaction I got. Many people laughed or
giggled as soon as they heard the name. Others paused only briefly
before laughing, as if they needed to make sure, from the reactions of
others, that what they were imagining could possibly be true.”

Those reactions and the claims by friends that, if there were such a
product, they would be the first customers, convinced Cuadra that there
might really be a market for this kind of gag gift.

For more information, contact Dr. Carlos A. Cuadra at contact@CuadraEnterprises.com.

Contacts

Cuadra Enterprises, Inc.
Dr. Carlos A. Cuadra
contact@CuadraEnterprises.com.