THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Telephones have lately been causing excitement in Dundee Town Council and the question caused a stir when raised at Dundee Public Health Committee yesterday. It was said that it was for the committee managing a department to say what its telephone needs were and that fear of auditorial endorsement should not be taken into account. After all, the auditor was a paid official and did not have an intimate knowledge of the absolute necessities of the department.

50 years ago

As Britain sweltered in the hottest day for years, the temperature at the London weather centre reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32C). In other parts, giant hailstones, yellow and pink rain and dust like “women’s face powder” fell from the sky in a series of freak storms which caused widespread flooding. The heat caused workers in several factories to walk out and about 30 girls in the turkish delight department of Fry’s, near Bristol, went home when the chocolate began melting.

25 years ago

“A great day for the Discovery and for the City of Dundee” was the verdict from the Duke of Edinburgh as he officially opened the £6 million visitor attraction at Discovery Point yesterday. The duke, accompanied by Scottish Secretary Ian Lang, toured the centre guided by Lord Provost Tom McDonald. He visited the ship and unveiled a wooden plaque to open the Discovery’s new permanent home seven years after she was brought back to her native city from London.

One year ago

Traffic chaos hit Dundee yesterday afternoon as firefighters spent three hours battling a blaze in an “unsafe” building. Drivers reported 40-minute delays after 59 Dock Street went up in flames. Four fire engines, police and an ambulance descended on the city centre after the blaze broke out. A police cordon was quickly set up and firefighters wearing oxygen tanks began to tackle the blaze. The Tay Road Bridge and East Dock Street came to a standstill as emergency services investigated.