The inventor of karaoke, Shigeichi Negishi, has died at the age of 100. Negishi was born in 1923 in Tokyo, Japan, and ran an electronics company.
He invented the Sparko Box in 1967, which led other companies to create different types of equipment. By automating the sing-along, he earned the authority of performers who saw his machine as a threat to their jobs. But Negishi did not make millions because he never patented the invention. "He felt great pride in seeing his idea evolve into a culture of fun through songs around the world," his daughter said.