Well Rook, that was before o-ring days. But I used to soak the chain in 90w gear oil, then took a coat hanger, strung up the chain; let it drip dry; then installed.
The trick is to key the link(s) back to the original sprocket tooth. I could hear a chain come down the road so loud, it would over ride the exhaust. That chain would Wah-Wah every time it made a 360° on the tire turn. I'd ear that thing come down the street; that bike's chain was about as dry as an African riverbed.
That poor chain just screamed, Squid!