Did you know?

100 years ago, Oct. 16, 1907

Members of the junior class take part in one of Carnegie Tech’s famous traditions — the hazing of the Plebes (first-years). The offenders picked up passing Plebes and paraded them around the tennis court. “When business would become a bit dull through the absence of the lower classmen,” reads a Tartan article, “anybody who passed was in danger. Several of the instructors were threatened.”

50 years ago, Oct. 15, 1957

A cartoon called “Stocking up for Homecoming” shows a stack of boxes full of drinks. The boxes have labels featuring wholesome beverages like “cherry pop” and “dad’s old-fashioned root beer,” though the label on the bottom of the stack is considerably more risqué: “Beverages we are not allowed to mention in college publications.”

25 years ago, Oct. 12, 1982

A visiting hypnotist works his magic on nine Carnegie Mellon students. The hypnotist is known for helping patients lose weight, quit smoking, or improve their concentration, but his efforts on the students are far less practical: He hypnotizes his subjects into thinking they are Pac-Man, a Martian, etc. Even if it were a hoax, it must have been entertaining.

10 years ago, Oct. 20, 1997

After 15 months of petitioning and two defeated proposals, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) finally splits from the Student Senate. Graduate students, who felt underrepresented as members of the Student Senate, are happy to have their own organization, though some undergraduate students are not so satisfied; one senior music major worries that the GSA will only use their newfound independence to take money away from other, more deserving groups.

5 years ago, Oct. 14, 2002

College students are taking Ritalin and Adderall to pull all-nighters and get better grades, so says a front-page article. So, next time your roommate comes home with a 4.0, check for shaky hands.

1 year ago, Oct. 16, 2006

Javier Grillo-Marxuach, a writer for the TV show Lost, lectures as part of the Alumni Writing Series. Grillo-Marxuach, an H&SS graduate, described his career path, favorite Carnegie Mellon teachers, and writing techniques, conveniently avoiding some more pressing questions: Why are there polar bears on the island? Who are “the Others”? What is the monster?