Many people are familiar with Thomas Edison’s “invention factory” in Menlo Park, where he patented the phonograph, the light bulb and many more inventions. Yet many other ideas have grown in the Garden State too. New Jerseyans brought sound and music to movies and built the very first drive-in theater. In addition to the first cultivated blueberry, tasty treats like ice cream cones and M&M’s are also Jersey natives. Iconic aspects of American life like Bubble Wrap, the boardwalk, the Band-Aid, and even professional baseball started in New Jersey. Life would be a lot harder without the vacuum cleaner, plastic, air-conditioning, and many other important advances in medicine and surgery that were developed here.

The Historical society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood wants you to come to our first 2025 meeting on Tuesday evening February 25th at 7:30 PM at the Historic Shady Rest Country Club and join author Linda Barth as she explores groundbreaking, useful, fun, and even silly inventions and their New Jersey roots.

Linda Barth has been a fan of New Jersey for a long time. A lifelong resident of the Garden State, Linda has written two books on the D&R Canal and three children’s picture books, Bridgetender’s Boy, Hidden New Jersey, and Alice Paul: Champion of Women’s Rights. She has also authored the book about inventing listed above and New Jersey Originals. With her husband she has published The Millstone Valley Through Time and Somerville Through Time. She has also contributed to the Encyclopedia of New Jersey.

Linda Barth spent 45 years in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, teaching fourth grade and then substituting after retirement. She is the executive director of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and president of the D&R Canal Watch, a friends organization of the D&R Canal State Park.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood is thrilled to have Linda Barth as the speaker for the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood at our upcoming meeting on Tuesday February 25th. Come to this free, open to the public, meeting and learn more about Where Ideas Grow in The Garden State.The meeting begins at 7:30 PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Golf & Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.