As temperatures continue to climb throughout the week, cohabitating couples are sometimes left choosing between an astronomically high air-conditioning bill and a cranky partner.

Beating the scorching heat was much different before air conditioning was commonplace, and many people had to be creative when trying to stay cool and comfortable on a hot summer afternoon.

Before there was air conditioning, people in Wilmington had lots of ways to beat the heat. John Staton. Wilmington StarNews. Summer in Wilmington got off to a hot start, with a record-setting 99 ...