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well.. originally they were imported into the US for zoos.. then they became an alternative meat source to beef...
ranchers would raise them for the meat, oil, feathers and leather.
people didn't really embrace the alternative meat idea though. so the bottom fell out of the market . Breeding pairs that sold for over 25K one week were worthless a few weeks later.
Now most people raise them as pets.. though the USDA still considers them to be livestock.
There are still a few ranchers who raise them for meat, oil, leather and feathers and will also sell excess eggs for eating, hatching or carving. You can still find emu meat on the menu of some of the "finer" restaurants.
we have ours as pets.. but I have had emu meat and it is delicious. So I (unlike most members of the forum) have no issues with eating one.
the main thing to remember is they should NOT be a "fad pet". They can live for 20 to 30 years depending on care in captivity.. can kick like a mule.. have razor sharp claws which can slice you open with a well placed kick.. have been known to kill smaller animals, require sturdy fencing, need as much space as a horse and most vets won't work on them or have no idea how to treat them if they need medical attention.
They are unique and have amazing personalities.. but they are also something that requires a lot of care for a long period of time.
I eats 'em....they are seriously tasty. So is ostrich....nom nom nom
yup.. yummy stuff...
I have heard (rumors mostly) that they may be making a bigger comeback as a meat source again...
I took many classes in decorating years ago but if you don't use it, you lose it, and I lost it. 
