Herbert Muschel, 85; Founded Press Release Service PR Newswire

Herbert Muschel, 85, founder of PR Newswire, which distributes press releases to news organizations, died of undisclosed causes Saturday in a Manhattan hospital.

Muschel launched his pioneer commercial news wire service in 1954, distributing corporate financial news and features at a time when the Federal Communications Commission allowed only AT&T; and Western Union to send printed messages to third parties. Muschel’s direct-to-the-newsroom service enabled press releases to be treated as breaking news for the first time. Trans World Airlines was its first customer.

Muschel sold his company to Western Union in 1971. It is now owned by United Business Media of London.

Born in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Muschel earned a degree in journalism from New York University in 1941. His service as a radio operator in the merchant marine during World War II kindled his interest in communications.