The very word “cuspidor” conjures a long-lost era of handlebar moustaches, barbershop quartets, and high starched collars, and yet we might be surprised at how long cuspidors lingered in public use.

Judge Garman had finally had enough. On Jan. 21, 1920, His Honor John Garman of Luzerne County banned spittoons from his courtroom. It’s difficult today to imagine people in a courtroom jawing ...

Headline on a front-page story about the historic first day on the job for Florence E. S. Knapp: “Plants Oust Cuspidors As Man Passes From Picture.” Advertisement Article continues below this ...