Week in Winchester History: The Discovery of 'Laminates'

This is a regular column with items drawn from past editions of the Winchester Star.

1911

Balloon Ride

Jay B. Benton of Winchester took a balloon ride into Queens and landed in Long Long Island. Benton is an aeronaut who went on the trip with two other men.

1961

Counterspy

Herbert Philbrick was invited by the Women's Republican Committee to speak at . The former New Hampshire advertising executive decided, in 1940, to become a counterspy for the FBI.

Wider Intersection

The town began construction to widen the intersection at Wildwood Street and Cambridge Street. It is considered one of the most dangerous intersections in Winchester. Two trees will be removed and a traffic light will be installed there.

The good life

According to a study by the Tax Foundation, Winchester employees make more than they did in 1956. Even though taxes, rent and other expenses increased, Winchester employees still make out.

Laminates

Robert Lowry and John Harrison - both of Winchester - were awarded a patent entitle "laminates." That's right, that plastic that you put around pictures so that they don't get ruined, two men in Winchester developed it.

1986

No more tennis

The School Committee unanimously voted to close the tennis courts at because they were in an "unsafe and deplorable" condition.

Affordable housing

Winchester had planned on developing seven units of affordable housing along the Woburn Loop, but the state denied that request. The transportation secretary said that the property is too close to 93.

Parking

The town discussed the possibility of not painting parking lines for cars. And instead, let the cars just park on the street with no lines separating the spaces. The board would then also increase the parking limit from one to two hours.

All the information for this story came from the Winchester Star.