Words are the only things that last forever; they are more durable than the eternal hills. - William Hazlitt, English essayist

What’s big, red, and is celebrated like a hockey version of Mardi Gras? That would be Rensselaer’s Big Red Freakout, of course!

Not long ago I happened upon something of great interest to me as an RPI archivist – a photograph album documenting Rensselaer and its vicinity in the early twentieth century.  This is the story of how we acquired not one but seven photo albums compiled by Mr. Louis Blackmer Puffer, RPI Class of 1909.

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.&nbs

Does anyone know this guy?  Please leave a comment!  

It's that time of the semester when students focus on intense study and face their final examinations.  Professors (and/or TAs) will then spend hours grading the exams and recording final grades.  In the early years of the Institute, final examinations were not evaluated by professors, but by a board of examiners.  The Board of Examiners was composed of several "literary, scientific and practical men" not associated with the Institute.  The examiners were appointed by Stephen Van Rensselaer himself for several years and then by the Board of Trustees.  A public exami

The holidays have passed, spring semester work has commenced and winter couldn't get any worse.  Blah.  This probably won't cure the doldrums, but it may entertain you for a moment.  I thought of inviting captions for this one, but I don't want to divert attention from an actual identification.  My best guess for the beer paraphernalia is that it came from the pub in the Union.  It looks like they are taking inventory of the items.  Can you identify the students or the room?  If I could get the name of one or more of the individuals, I may be able to conta

I don't have much to say about this image -- I'm clueless.  :-)  Can you identify the professor?  The student?  The equipment?  If so, please leave a comment!

On October 8, 1952, ten thousand people gathered to hear Dwight D.