Back in 1901 the Hunterdon County Democrat espoused the benefits of Alexandar Graham Bell's Graphophone.
Back in 1901 the Hunterdon County Democrat wrote of the Graphophone: "The most versatile of all devices for making home attractive, (the Graphophone) has taken a permanent place in the affections of all classes. It sings, plays, tells stories, teaches foreign languages, and is calculated to drive dull care away."
Invited by Alexander Graham Bell, the Graphophone was an improvement on rival Thomas Edison's phonograph, but, like so many must-have gadgets, eventually gave way to new technology.
Here are some other headlines from long ago hot summer days in July:
1876
We are told of a company which takes its employees to the seaside once a summer, where they all go for a dip in the ocean. This year one worker hailed a fellow - ''Man, how dirty you are!'' ''Missed the trip last year'' was the laconic reply.
A large number of Republicans gathered at the edge of the crowd as the Democratic banner was hoisted at the County Hotel. Their favorite cry is to brand Democrats a drunken rabble which is laughable, coming from the Grant-tights.
How 1951 manhunt ended in Hunterdon
1901
A number of young lady employees of city stores are boarding with farmers hereabouts. They are called ''fresh airs'' by our boys, but never mind, girls - just be glad you're not cooped up in the hot city stores.
1926
The automobile has brought us a proliferation of roadside stands, all as ugly as possible. They not only destroy the beauty of our countryside, they disgust the motorists.
None of those people complaining because work on our new jail and Baptist church is going so slowly will be clamoring for admittance to either place when it is completed.
1951
A man was killed, power lines were disrupted, streets flooded and other property damage caused over the weekend by one of the most violent thunderstorms and heaviest rainfalls of recent Hunterdon history.
Extreme heat and humidity last Thursday night did not keep many friends and parents of Flemington Summer School of Music away from the closing program. A good-sized audience turned out to hear the pupils, ranging from beginners to high school seniors, present a program which was designed to give an over-all picture of the work of the school.
More than 5,000 people viewed a parade last Wednesday night in Califon which touched off the 30th anniversary celebration of the Califon Fire Company. The parade, described as the largest ever staged in the boro, drew more than 1,000 persons, who represented about 25 fire companies, ladies auxiliaries and four musical organizations.
Having completed a survey of Flemington Boro sidewalks, the Boro Council has directed the clerk to send letters to owners of walks that are badly out of repair. A deadline of Oct. 1 has been set. If repairs are not completed by then, the Council threatens to take appropriate action.
Playing at the local theaters this week: "Show Boat" with Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, "On Moonlight Bay" with Doris Day and Gordon MacRae and Lassie in the "Painted Hills."
Newspaper was anti-Obamacare in the 50s
With Lake Solitude above High Bridge but partly filled with water when last week's storm broke over the northern part of the state, Clinton and the lower reaches of the South Branch undoubtedly escaped a bad flood. The lake impounded the first waters to come down.
If the weather man could forecast sufficient warning of every impending flood, High Bridge could do its neighbors downstream a good service by letting some of the water out of the lake every time a bad flood is threatened.
1976
A new no-smoking policy at Hunterdon Medical Center bans smoking in patient rooms, corridors and elevators. Smoking will still be permitted in lounge areas on the floors, in doctors' offices, the main lobby, the snack bar and the employees' cafeteria.
Hunterdon homeowners already are pounding on the desks of township officials demanding application forms for their property tax rebates under the new homestead exemptions. To qualify homeowners would have to file applications with their assessors by Nov. 1. The state is still devising the forms. For that matter, the governor still hasn't signed the law, which would give homeowners rebates averaging almost $200 in Hunterdon communities in two installments next year.
County farmers have their eyes on the skies this week, hoping for a heavy rain to break the drought which has in some places brought field corn growth to a standstill and threatens other crop.
Have you noticed? Route 31 in Clinton Township is a lot more ''driveable'' these summer weekends since Spruce Run Reservoir started charging its $5 entrance fee and local police began ticketing the cars which park haphazardly on the shoulder outside Smiley's and Art's Resale flea markets.
Glen Gardner has been itching to get into the Bicentennial fling and sure enough on Sunday it will open festivities with a giant flea market. Main Street will be closed to through traffic at the crack of dawn (how about 6 a.m.?) from Sanatorium Road to Hill Road. Local traffic will be allowed in and out during the day. Shopper parking is at both ends of town.
Plans for building the Oldwick sewerage treatment lagoon system could run into a snag due to an old Indian campsite. The environmental assessment report from the Upper Raritan Watershed Association cited a 1915 map prepared by the state archaeologist showing the site of an Indian camp on the location of the proposed lagoon.
One of the requirements for funding from the Farmers Home Administration, which Tewksbury hopes will finance the $593,000 project, is that it does not disturb historical or archaeological sites.