Twenty-five years ago this week: Moving beyond burgers, Jack-in-the-Box rolled out its Breakfast Jack to compete with the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin. The McMuffin itself was newly available nationally, after being pioneered by Herbert Peterson, the owner of three McDonald’s franchises in Santa Barbara … Beverly Hills-based Signal Cos. Inc. and United Aircraft of East Hartford, Conn. were planning to merge … Lenders were predicting that the prime rate could soar as high as 9 percent.

THE NEWSMAKER:

Citing health reasons, Jackson R. McGowen announced that he was retiring as president of McDonnell Douglas Corp.’s Douglas Aircraft division in Long Beach, following a 34-year career. John C. Brizendine, executive vice president, was tapped to succeed McGowen. At the time, the Douglas division was generating about half of McDonnell Douglas’ $2.7 billion in annual sales.

THE NUMBERS:

July 6, 1973

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 870.11

N.Y. gold: $339.25 oz.

Bell-bottom jeans: $5.99

AA batteries, 4-pack: 44 cents