What's behind that name?

Like Hepplewhite? Why? Was someone at TSR into antique tables? Was there a Hepplewhite table present in the offices? Did the writer working up the sample adventure score a Hepplewhite table at a yard sale for $20?<div><br /></div><div>Side note: when Marshal Applewhite and his heaven's Gate group were making their Ascension to the UFO following in the tail of the Hale-Bopp comet and were making headlines in 1997. I immediately thought of Star Frontiers misremembering the ships name.</div>