Pup covers 1924-1951

The Rensselaer Pup has some wonderful examples of graphic design and student art from the first half of the 20th century.  As a student-generated humor magazine it possesses some questionable content as well as beautiful covers.  Often the images from the covers play toward other popular magazines or comics of the time.  A few covers sport photographs, but the majority showcase student drawing and design.

As an intern in the RPI Institute Archives and Special Collections, I proposed creating an image database of the Pup covers and making it searchable to allow RPI alumni and the campus community to enjoy these unique images.  In one of my information technology courses at the University at Albany, I had the opportunity to learn how to create such a database and make it dynamically accessible via the Web.

Visitors to the online exhibit can search the covers by month, year or subtitle, but I have also added additional information so that visitors can look for blue covers or for particular features of a cover, such as “dog” or “woman.”  I highly recommend trying out a few searches to find some of the more amusing search terms I used to describe the unusual covers.  It is actually possible to find results for terms like “dagger” or “skull” among the more typical terms.

I hope that visitors to the site will enjoy this opportunity to view the Pup covers as much as I enjoyed making it possible.

AmbertheIntern

(Amber D’Ambrosio)

AmytheArchivist was here

I started this blog, more than three years ago, to post unidentified images and share information about the history of RPI. It was kind of an experiment, but it quickly became a pet project of mine. I was thrilled when people began responding with answers, comments and memories! I hope I’ve been able to illustrate that the history of the Institute is made up of the stories of many, many incredible people.

When I started my role as archivist at Rensselaer I thought the history of an engineering and science school might be a bit dull. I was so wrong! I have thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about the history of this great institution — all 187 years of it. I often refer to ‘six degrees of RPI’ — seemingly EVERYTHING can be connected back to the legacy of this Institute in six steps or less! I’m constantly pointing out the connections to my colleagues, friends and family (envision some eye rolling here). Here’s one example: I recently watched a PBS documentary on John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club. John Muir’s mentor was Ezra Carr (he also had a close relationship with Ezra’s wife Jeanne). Ezra Carr was one of the first students to earn a civil engineering degree from RPI in 1838! It’s important to collect and preserve these connections from the past as they inform us about our present and steer us towards the future.

This is my last post as amythearchivist aka Amy Rupert, Assistant Institute Archivist. I’m moving on to a new phase in my career and bidding farewell to RPI and the Capital District. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and I will miss the community very much.

This blog will continue with contributions from other archivists and people who care about preservation of the historical record. Stay tuned — more RPI history will be revealed. Thanks for following me along on this journey. It’s been a blast! Here’s to Old RPI!

Mystery Image #28

We’re wrapping up our five-day mystery image blitz with an image that I find curious. There’s just something odd about the pose of the two men and the looks on their faces! I really wish I knew more about the context of this photograph. Does anyone know who they are and why they would have been pictured together?

Mystery Image #27

Hmmmm, about a size 11? Who is this man who puts his feet up at work?

Mystery Image #26

We’re on a roll! Two identifications down, three to go. Give this one a try.

Mystery Image #25

Can you help us identify the person in this photograph?  It contains at least two clues.  The one legible book title in the stack behind him is The Analysis of Linear Circuits by Charles M. Close.  This may indicate he was a member of the electrical engineering faculty.  The second clue is his hair style, which looks mid-1970s to mid-1980s.

Mystery Image #24

I’m guessing from the plaid pants that this pic goes back to the ’70s or ’80s. Do you know who it is?

Mystery Image blitz

I need your help! I hope to put away some unidentified images this week. I’ll post a new image every day for five days. Please make a comment if you can identify the individuals in the photos. We’ve identified twenty-two mystery images on the blog so far!

1911 Commencement Speaker – “I have made good.”

One hundred years ago, commencement for the class of 1911 was held on June 14th at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. It was a momentous occasion. The first degrees for electrical and mechanical engineering were awarded that day, nine EE and three ME degrees. The graduates and their guests were honored by the presence of Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, who delivered the commencement address. He spoke before a packed auditorium which gave him an “enthusiastic reception,” with applause that made it impossible for him to speak for several minutes.

Admiral Peary, the first person to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909, had quite a tale to tell! He began his speech by giving a brief history of the search for the North Pole, beginning with the first expedition in 1520, and then related the story of his own quest for the Pole spanning 23 years. The speech was long, but the crowd must have been mesmerized by the detailed account of Peary’s amazing achievement.

Class of 1911 with Admiral Peary front and center.

Admiral Peary concluded his remarks with these inspirational words for the graduates:

In those blue hours when stopped by insuperable obstacles, short of the absolute goal for which I was striving, I have faced the stern necessity of turning back, returning home and starting over again, with all the contingencies and uncertainties of an added year or two, I have hugged my dream to myself and said, “I shall come back and do it yet.” In the black moments of absolutely hopeless obstacles, of supreme physical discomfort, of threatened catastrophe, I have hugged my dream to myself and said, “This is but for the moment, I shall win out yet.” Were I a ragged beggar in the streets today, without a friend in the world, I could hug my dream to myself and feed and warm and clothe myself with the thought, “I have made good.” And when the end comes I can knock at the gates on the other side and, with head erect, offer as my passport, “I have made good.” I wish you all the good fortune in realization of your dreams and ideals, whether in business or invention or molding of the country’s history or other avenues that lead to progress and the good of mankind.

I hope these words inspire the Class of 2011, as well. Hug your dreams to yourselves graduates. Congratulations!

an alum and the French occupation of Mexico

In remembrance of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I would share an interesting RPI connection to the end of the French occupation of Mexico. Julius A. Skilton, Class of 1849, became a physician and practiced as a surgeon during the Civil War. Following the Civil War, Julius traveled on assignment for the New York “Herald” to Mexico with his wife, Harriet Ingersoll. Julius escorted Mexican President Benito Juárez back to Mexico from New Orleans and proceeded to assist with his restoration of Mexican rule. During this time, Julius owned and edited a newspaper devoted to the Juárez cause. He was also commissioned to exhume and examine the body of Maximilian before it was sent back to Austria. Because of his diplomatic involvement, in 1869 Julius was appointed US Consul in Mexico City by President Grant. From 1872-1878, he was the US Consul General in Mexico.

Two of Julius’ brothers also graduated from RPI: George S. Skilton, Class of 1868 and James A. Skilton, Class of 1845. A collection of their personal papers are in the Archives. Skilton Family Papers

Viva Mexico!