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117-471: Some of the traditions are well-known, the most notable being the now-banned tradition of stealing the "T" from Tech Tower. Tech Tower , Tech's historic primary administrative building, has the letters TECH hanging atop it on each of its four sides. A number of times, students have orchestrated complex plans to steal the huge symbolic letter T, and on occasion have carried this act out successfully. One especially well-known tradition that has existed nearly since

234-753: A 103.5 in (2,630 mm) wheelbase with a final drive ratio of 3.77:1. The transmission was a conventional unsynchronized three-speed sliding-gear manual with a single speed reverse. The Model A had four-wheel mechanical drum brakes . The Model A came in a wide variety of styles including coupes (standard and deluxe), business coupe, sports coupe, roadster coupes (standard and deluxe), convertible cabriolet , convertible sedan , phaetons (standard and deluxe), Tudor sedans (standard and deluxe), town car, Fordors (five-window standard, three-window deluxe), Victoria, town sedan, station wagon, taxicab, truck, and commercial. The very rare special coupe started production around March 1928 and ended in mid-1929. The Model A

351-588: A Shop Building, in which " boiler and engine rooms, wood shop , machine shop , forge room and foundry " were located. Both buildings boasted towers and edifices of similar design. The complementary names and purposes of these buildings reflected the School's founding principles of valuing both theory and practice , while their similar appearance emphasized the equal standing of these principles. Construction work, contracted by Angus McGilvray with his low bid of US$ 43,250 ($  1.47 million in 2024), began with

468-703: A T off of the sign in front of Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium . The 'T' was later dropped off at night to the Georgia Tech Police Department. The Georgia Tech president returned it to the Virginia Tech president in September 2012 along with an apology. Similar copycat crimes have occurred on the Georgia Tech campus. In late 2001, a group of Georgia Tech students calling itself the "Caldwell Liberation Army" stole 32 'T's from signs on 16 campus buildings over

585-609: A ceremony presided over by Tech president G. Wayne Clough . Although neither she nor her husbands attended Georgia Tech as a student, Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans was a longtime benefactor of the Institute, contributing over $ 340 million through her philanthropic organization, the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation. Tech Tower's continuous use since its completion in 1888 has required occasional maintenance and refurbishment. It underwent extensive renovations in 1965 with

702-507: A field goal/safety and preceded by " Up With the White and Gold " after a touchdown) in a football game, and frequently during timeouts at basketball games. The title refers to the Ramblin' Wreck , one of Tech's mascots and a nickname for Tech students. Oh, sons of Tech arise behold The banner as it reigns supreme For from on high the White and Gold Waves in its triumphant gleam, The spirit of

819-569: A focus on remodeling the building's interior layout. During this time, the library and chapel were replaced with modern office space and furnishings. In contrast, efforts directed towards the exterior of the building have aimed to preserve its historic appearance. A restoration project called the "Tech Tower Renovation" began in 1987, spearheaded by alumnus Eugene M. "Gene" Clary's gift of new copper shingles with which to replace Tech Tower's aging roof tiles. Clary first suggested gold-colored shingles, but John Patrick Crecine , Georgia Tech's president at

936-582: A green and black 1931 Tudor sedan, has been a staple of University of North Texas football games and special events since 1974, maintained by the spirit organization Talons since the 1980s. The Ramblin' Wreck , a 1930 sports coupe, is the official mascot of the student body at the Georgia Institute of Technology and appears at sporting events and student body functions. Ala Kart , a customized 1929 roadster pickup built by George Barris , won two straight " America's Most Beautiful Roadster " awards at

1053-514: A licensed version from 1932–1936. In Europe, where in some countries cars were taxed according to engine size, Ford in the UK manufactured the Model A with a smaller displacement engine of 2,043 cc (124.7 cu in), providing a claimed output of 28 hp (21 kW; 28 PS). However, this equated to a British fiscal horsepower of 14.9  hp (11.1  kW ; 15.1  PS ) (compared to

1170-665: A long life; he earned several degrees, fought in World War II, and almost won Time ' s 2001 Person of the Year award. Georgia Tech is also known for the largest margin of victory in a football game, achieved in their 222-0 thrashing of Cumberland University in the 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game . Tech's historic and primary administrative building, Tech Tower , has the letters TECH hanging atop it on each of its four sides. Since 1969, students on several occasions have orchestrated complex plans to scale Tech Tower and steal

1287-513: A marble drinking fountain, was donated in 1911 by the Class of 1903 and is situated east of Tech Tower's main entrance. Also near the main entrance to Tech Tower is a marbled pair of benches donated by the Class of 1925 in memory of those who died in World War I . A few feet away stands a marbled bench memorial to Paul Howes Norcross, a 1902 Georgia Tech alumnus and former ASCE president who perished in

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1404-516: A number of freshmen, most notably those in the marching band , wear gold caps known as RAT caps at each football game. RAT is short for Recruit At Tech , although recently the Student Government has begun incorrectly using "Recently Acquired Tech Students" or "Recently Acquired Techie". The RAT caps are decorated with the football team's scores, the freshman's name, hometown, major, expected graduation date, and "To HELL With Georgia" emblazoned on

1521-554: A parade of contraptions was created to subdue student protests. The parade has run every year since 1932 except for the years of 1942-1943. The American fuel shortage caused by World War II stopped the parade. In 1944, the parade was renewed except the contraptions had to be human powered . Gasoline power was allowed again in 1946. The Freshman Cake Race is a foot race from the Russ Chandler Stadium to Bobby Dodd Stadium that takes place before sunrise (about 6:00 am) on

1638-665: A particular emphasis on mediating campus-wide sporting events. The Bull Dogs utilized their Cake Race ties to the Athletic Association in order to coordinate the first intramurals on the athletic playing fields. The Bull Dogs also aided in spirit and tradition upkeep on campus by aiding in Ramblin' Wreck Parade judging, homecoming queen selection, and homecoming dance planning. Despite the Bull Dogs roles in homecoming celebrations, their intramural coordination became their primary focus by

1755-405: A period of two nights. The students, who were not caught, vandalized the signs to express their bitterness at being displaced from Caldwell Residence Hall while renovations were taking place. In February 2006, it was noticed that small vinyl 'T' stickers were being stolen from informational signs located around the Georgia Tech campus, creating confusion for visitors and new students. According to

1872-523: A track and cross country coach. The race founder is alumnus L. McTier "Mac" Anderson, class of 1967. The first race in 1973 was 3 miles long and was expanded to 3.14 miles after 1975—hence the Pi Mile. In 2002, the race distance was slightly shortened to 5 kilometers , intendedly to attract more runners. Another race tradition is the Ghost Run, where all the entrants sign up as George P. Burdell ; participants pay

1989-402: A twelve game win streak in homecoming contests. Tech is 44-13-1 since 1949 in its homecoming football games. The Mini 500 is a tricycle race held during homecoming every year that requires teams to complete laps around Peters Parking Deck on East Campus. Men must complete 15 laps, while women must complete 10. There are mandatory pit stops in which the front tire must be rotated 3 times during

2106-399: Is a lasting bond; Oh may we be united Till the victory of life is won! At every football game and every home basketball game, the fans of Georgia Tech perform an unusual dance at the end of the 3rd quarter in football and during the second to last television timeout of basketball. The dance is a simple bobbing motion which alternates every other person (simulating the up-and-down motion of

2223-597: Is a parade of classic cars and engineering oddities held before every homecoming football game. There are three classes of vehicles, which participate in the competition. The first class is known simply as classic cars and these are vehicles over a certain age limit (currently 25 years). The second class is known as fixed bodies and these vehicles are normal cars, which have only been cosmetically modified retaining their original drive train . These are often themed, but are distinctly different from floats and are prohibited from being "pseudo-wrecks displaying pomps". The third class

2340-420: Is a spirit group consisting of 900 Georgia Tech students found seated along the north end zone during home football games and on the court during basketball games. The Swarm was started by Suzanne "Suzy Swarm" Robinson of the Ramblin' Reck Club in 1996 to increase the amount of student participation in the stands. The Swarm was only 250 members when it began in 1996. The group increased to 650 members by 2001 and

2457-492: Is among the all-time greatest rituals. Today, stealing the 'T' is prohibited and is officially punishable with expulsion, although this has not happened in practice. After a Georgia Tech visitor was accidentally killed while climbing the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in 1999, Institute President G. Wayne Clough banned stealing of the 'T' and the climbing of any Institute building, due to the risk of fatal falls and

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2574-499: Is built in the Victorian style with Romanesque Revival influences. The building's original specifications, according to Georgia Tech's first Annual Catalogue Announcement published in 1889, are listed as 130 ft (40 m) wide and 120 ft (37 m) deep. It is constructed primarily of red brick and trimmed with granite . The gabled roof, originally terra cotta , was later replaced by copper shingles. The main complex of

2691-413: Is contraptions. Here, wheel-driven vehicles (that is, those using a conventional drive train ) are banned; human power has been used instead, as has propeller drive and jet engines . Judging criteria include both creativity and effective operation. The Wreck parade dates back to 1929 when The Technique began an "Old Ford Race" to Athens. In 1932, the race was deemed unsafe by the administration so

2808-531: Is currently 900 members strong. All Swarm members donate to the Alexander-Tharpe fund and are given gold T-shirts before every football and basketball season. One of the more popular traditions amongst Swarm members is the "Running of the Swarm". Because all Swarm seating is general admission, there are no reserved seats. The Swarm members must run once the gate is opened to get the best seats. A flashcard display

2925-429: Is named after Tech Tower. Kessler Campanile , a stylized bell tower built on the Georgia Tech campus as part of an Institute-wide branding campaign in the mid-1990s, was designed to look like a modernized version of Tech Tower. The campanile is now featured in all Georgia Tech logos, though some have argued that Tech Tower itself would be a more appropriate symbol. Students have stolen the huge, symbolic letter 'T' on

3042-585: Is performed at every home football game by students. The flashcard section was first formed in 1957 by an organization known as the Block-T Club. The idea for a flashcard section and group to organize its efforts was conceived by members of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Through the support of Ramblin' Reck Club the first flashcard section featured 400 freshmen and highly coordinated flashcard images. The original flashcard sections were completely voluntary but afterwards,

3159-442: Is split up by gender. The winners receive cakes baked by faculty, alumni, or students, and all participants receive cupcakes. The winners also receive a kiss from Mr. or Ms. Georgia Tech at the homecoming half-time show. The race began as a cross-country race in 1911. In 1913, the winners received cakes from wives, mothers, and other women affiliated with Tech. The race was initially mandatory for all students. The Ramblin' Reck Club

3276-452: Is the architectural anchor of the Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District , a landmark of tradition and school spirit, and the present-day administrative hub of the Institute. It has been the site of many ceremonies and important events, including a visit by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and its dedication in honor of Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans , "Tech's greatest benefactor ." Lighted signs spelling TECH hang on each of

3393-527: The Norman boat disaster of May 8, 1925. The headstone of Sideways the dog is located near Tech Tower's rear entrance, as is an informational placard detailing Tech Tower's early history, donated by the Class of 1932. A staircase donated by the ANAK Society in 1921 connects Tech Tower to the adjacent D. P. Savant Building via a continuous sidewalk. Finally, a steam-driven air compressor , colloquially known as

3510-664: The A-Model Ford or the A , and A-bone among hot rodders and customizers ) is the Ford Motor Company 's second market success, replacing the venerable Model T which had been produced for 18 years. It was first produced on October 20, 1927, but not introduced until December 2. This new Model A ( a previous model had used the name in 1903–04) was designated a 1928 model and was available in four standard colors. By February 4, 1929, one million Model As had been sold, and by July 24, two million. The range of body styles ran from

3627-447: The Model 18 , which introduced Ford's new flathead (sidevalve) V8 engine . Prices for the Model A ranged from US$ 385 for a roadster to US$ 1,400 for the town car. The engine was a water-cooled L-head inline four with a displacement of 201 cu in (3.3 L). This engine provided 40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS). Top speed was around 65 mph (105 km/h). The Model A had

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3744-634: The Oakland Roadster Show before making numerous film and television appearances. Between October 1992 and December 1994, Hector Quevedo, along with his son Hugo, drove a 1928 Model A 22,000 mi (35,406 km) from his home in Punta Arenas , Chile to Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan . The car required minimal service, including a flat tire and transmission work in Nicaragua, and is now housed in

3861-575: The deans of the College of Engineering and the College of Sciences have offices in Tech Tower. Tech Tower is considered an iconic representation of Georgia Tech and of higher education in Atlanta . It is often featured in marketing materials and merchandise for the Institute and its silhouette is recognized throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area . The Tower , Georgia Tech's undergraduate research journal,

3978-492: The "Mystic Marauders" or the "Sneaky Four." Pervasive rumors of a detailed plan held in the Institute's archives to execute "the perfect T theft," crafted by an unnamed Georgia Tech fraternity , are apparently spurious. The 'T' was first stolen in April 1969 by a secret group of Georgia Tech fraternity brothers calling themselves the "Magnificent Seven". Inspired by a similar prank that had taken place in 1968 at Harvard University ,

4095-720: The "steam engine," sits prominently at the top of the hill near Tech Tower as a reminder of the school's industrial roots. As its official name suggests, Tech Tower is primarily used for administrative purposes. It houses the Office of the Registrar , the Office of Capital Planning and Space Management (CPSM), the Internal Auditing Department, and offices for the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL). In addition,

4212-402: The 'T' from Tech Tower has varied over the years. When the 'T' was first stolen in 1969, interim Institute President Vernon Crawford was so upset he considered canceling classes until it was returned. Afterwards, subsequent presidents opted to turn a blind eye to the practice, with one president, John Patrick Crecine , going so far as to endorse it. I think stealing the 'T' off the Tech Tower

4329-504: The 'T' from its mount but were caught in the act by authorities when the removal triggered an alarm. In October 2005, a replica of the 'T' was stolen from the Student Services Building and returned two days later. Around midday on March 18, 2014, it was discovered that the north-facing 'T' had been stolen from Tech Tower. In this case, the thief admitted guilt after detectives approached him at his residence that afternoon, and

4446-407: The 'T' occurred over the summer of 1999. The 'T' on the north face of Tech Tower was stolen by a group of "six or seven people" on the morning of June 3, 1999. The perpetrators wrote a letter detailing the theft to the editorial staff of The Technique , Georgia Tech's student newspaper. The letter, an abridged version of which was subsequently printed in the summer issue of The Technique , described

4563-516: The 1960s. With the planning of the Student Athletic Center , intramurals were placed under official Institute control rather than the Bull Dogs and in 1969 the Bull Dogs were disbanded, relinquishing all homecoming duties to Ramblin' Reck Club and the student government. The Georgia Tech Bands are student musical groups fielded at many of the home athletic and schoolwide events. None of the musicians receive scholarships for participating in

4680-401: The 24  hp (18  kW ; 24  PS ) of the larger engine) and attracted a punitive annual car tax levy of £1 per fiscal hp in the UK. It, therefore, was expensive to own and too heavy and uneconomical to achieve volume sales, so it was unable to compete in the newly developing mass market while also too crude to compete as a luxury product. European manufactured Model As failed to achieve

4797-561: The Academic Building in June 1887; the building was completed in September 1888. The Shop Building, completed shortly afterward, was destroyed by fire in 1892 and rebuilt more modestly without a tower. Following this, the Academic Building, later known as Tech Tower, became the oldest building on the Georgia Tech campus, a distinction it continues to hold more than a century later. On October 20, 1905, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt visited

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4914-673: The Fall 2017 semester, the Whistle blew five minutes before the hour, every hour from 8:55 am to 5:55 pm, but following a modification of the class schedule, the whistle now follows a modified blowing schedule. The Faculty newspaper is also named The Whistle . Georgia Tech has an ongoing rivalry with the University of Georgia , often simply called "Georgia" for short. The rivalry was called Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate by Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist and UGA supporter, Lewis Grizzard. An annual issue of

5031-583: The Georgia Tech Cable Network (GTCN), produced a show, about the history of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate 'To Hell With Georgia' . If one student asks the word from another ("What's the Good Word?"), the response is always "To Hell with Georgia!" If asked about the Bulldogs ("How 'bout them Dawgs?"), an old tagline from the "University of Georgia" expression, the correct answer is, "Piss on 'em!" Every year,

5148-538: The Georgia Tech Master Plan of 1997, the area was made "more pedestrian-friendly " with the removal of access roads and the addition of landscaping improvements, benches, and other facilities. Further renovations to Tech Tower were completed during 2015–2016, which cost $ 7.5 million, and addressed fire, safety, and accessibility issues. These renovations were designed to improve occupant safety and comfort and also improve building energy efficiency. Tech Tower

5265-666: The Georgia Tech Student Government Association (SGA) launched a "Keep the 'T' in Tech" campaign to discourage thefts of 'T's from signage around the campus. The week-long campaign took place from September 26–30 and included an online petition to be published in The Technique , an open forum for discussing the issue, an amnesty day for returning stolen 'T's, and "Live the True Tradition," an evening event focused on

5382-439: The Georgia Tech Student Government Association (SGA), 'T' thefts across campus cost the Institute over $ 100,000 from 2010–11. The SGA discouraged these thefts, which they emphasized did not constitute a true Georgia Tech tradition: "The tradition is stealing the 'T' from Tech Tower – no other 'T's were ever a part of this tradition." The campaign drew national press coverage. The Georgia Tech administration's position on stealing

5499-426: The Georgia Tech campus. On the steps of Tech Tower, Roosevelt presented a speech about the importance of engineering education. He then shook hands with each of the 500 students present. Georgia Tech's Class of 1922 installed the famous TECH signs on all four sides of Tech Tower in 1918, giving rise to the building's present nickname. Their purpose, as defined by the donors during their first year at Georgia Tech,

5616-546: The Goldfellas occurred in the 2007 football game against rival University of Georgia with over 80 Tech students painted up with the Goldfellas for the event. Oh well it's up with the White and Gold, Down with the Red and Black, Georgia Tech is out for a victory. We'll drop the battle-axe on Georgia 's head, When we meet her our team is sure to beat her. Down on the old farm there will be no sound Till our bow-wows rip through

5733-533: The Institute newspaper, The Technique , focuses on this rivalry with an issue that spoofs The Red and Black , the newspaper of the University of Georgia. As a dig at the rival school, the Technique will typically refer to it as "the university (sic) of Georgia" (sometimes shortened to "u(sic)GA") in articles. " To Hell With Georgia " (abbreviated "THWG" or "THWUGA"or "THWg") is also known as "The Good Word." In 2009,

5850-504: The Institute released a notice that those who stole the 'T' would be harshly punished, and therefore the 'T' remains to this day at an undisclosed location. The replacement 'T' on the north face of Tech Tower was stolen on May 28, 2001 by three students, two of whom were found guilty of numerous conduct code violations by the Undergraduate Judiciary Cabinet and subsequently suspended. The students had successfully removed

5967-609: The Model T production system's rigidity, became apparent. The era of " flexible mass production " had begun. The Model A was well-represented in the media of the era since it was one of the most common cars. Model kits remain available from hobby shops as stock cars or hot rods . High-quality die-cast Model As are represented in 1/24 scale by the Danbury Mint 1931 roadster and the Franklin Mint 1930 Tudor sedan. Several models have obtained particular fame. The Mean Green Machine ,

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6084-666: The RAT rules in 1965. By 1967, the Club was given a more wholesome duty. Reck Club was given charge of the Ramblin' Wreck in 1967 following the disbandment of the Student Council's Reck Committee. A member from Reck Club known as the wreck driver has been elected annually since 1967 to drive the Wreck onto Grant Field for football games and other school functions. Reck Club was the first group to make attempts at humanoid mascots on Tech Campus. The first

6201-414: The Ramblin' Wreck. The fight song for Georgia Tech " I'm a Rambling Wreck " begins with the lyrics, "I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer." The song is sung at sporting events, official school functions, and always at the end of every graduation ceremony. A steam whistle that blows at various times throughout the day to mark the end of classes. This tradition is a hold over from

6318-636: The Reck Club until his mysterious disappearance in 1975. The Ramblin' Reck Club today oversees several homecoming traditions such as the Freshman Cake Race, the Mini 500, and the Wreck Parade. Reck Club also serves as a bridge between Georgia Tech Athletics and the Georgia Tech student body organizing the Swarm cheering section, pep rallies, flashcards sections, and other spirit related events. The Bull Dog Club

6435-521: The South end zone goalpost. Occasionally, the Goldfellas will attend home basketball, volleyball, or other sporting events. The group had its origins in the 1998 Georgia Tech football season, when a group of guys painted up for the homecoming game against the favored Virginia Cavaliers, the second of the fabled 41-38 games. The Jackets upset the Cavaliers and the tradition was started and passed on by residents in

6552-465: The Swarm maintained the tradition as a mandatory requirement of being a member of Swarm. Currently, the flashcard display is no longer performed due to difficulty coordinating it. It was last performed in the 2011 football season. The Goldfellas are a group of Georgia Tech superfans who paint their entire bodies yellow, spelling out words and phrases in black letters on their chests. These painted fans attend every home football game and are located behind

6669-473: The Tech Tower's TECH signs a number of times. The 'T' is then returned at the halftime of the homecoming football game, and the students' achievement celebrated. Tradition dictates that the first 'T' to be stolen should be the one facing east, as this can most easily be seen from the Downtown Connector . The groups of students responsible for 'T' thefts generally assume dramatic pseudonyms, such as

6786-543: The Thrasher cup. The band has some of the richest traditions on campus, including a strict enforcement of RAT caps amongst first year band members, no matter their actual year in college. The first Georgia Tech bands were formed in 1908 and led by "Biddy" Bidez . Bidez lead the group until his graduation in 1912. He was succeeded by another student named Mike Greenblatt who continued in Bidez's footsteps until 1913. Greenblatt wrote

6903-530: The Tudor at US$ 500 (in grey, green, or black) ($ 8,872 in 2023 dollars ) to the town car with a dual cowl at US$ 1,200 ($ 21,293 in 2023 dollars ). In March 1930, Model A sales hit three million, and there were nine body styles available. Model A production ended in March 1932, after 4,858,644 had been made in all body styles. Its successor was the Model B , which featured an updated inline four-cylinder engine , as well as

7020-429: The administration used to turn a blind eye to this practice, it is now officially discouraged, due to the risk of fatal falls and the potential for damage to the building, and equated to criminal activity (trespassing and theft). In recent years, this has become a serious offense, and perpetrators today would face a hefty fine to repair damages done to the building and a minimum of a semester-long suspension for attempting

7137-487: The air; When the battle is over Georgia's team will be found With the Yellow Jackets swarming around! "(I'm a) Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech" is Georgia Tech's fight song . The composition is based on Son of a Gambolier by Charles Ives (1895), and the lyrics are based on an old English and Scottish drinking song of the same name. "Ramblin' Wreck" is played after every Georgia Tech score (directly after

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7254-506: The assorted bands meaning the bands are composed entirely of volunteers. Every home football game and most away games include a 300 member Georgia Tech marching band performing during dead ball time and half-time . The GT Bands also field smaller pep bands at home basketball , ice hockey , and volleyball games. The bands are known to follow teams for special events such as bowl games and basketball tournaments . The ice hockey pep band in particular travels to Savannah every year for

7371-510: The back of the cap. It is important that 'HELL' should be in all capital letters, while 'Georgia' should be all lowercase. Students who intend to utilize the cooperative education program circle the top button on the cap, and fill it in once they have completed their involvement. The tradition began in 1915, and freshmen were required to wear the RAT caps every day until the Thanksgiving weekend game with UGA (if Georgia Tech won) or until end of

7488-494: The behest of Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen . Following successful thefts, the T would then be returned at the halftime of the homecoming football game or would be returned to the lawn of the president's mansion, and the student's achievement would be celebrated. Tradition dictates that the first T to be stolen should be the one facing east, as this can most easily be seen from the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector . Although

7605-420: The building stands four stories high plus a basement. The tower portion stands seven stories high and is topped with four lighted TECH signs (one on each side) and a high pitched roof. The main entrance to the building is accessed by ascending a small staircase and entering a small porch which forms the base of Tech Tower. Most of the building's windows are simple rectangular frames, with the exception of those on

7722-575: The cheering Throng Resounds with joy revealing A brotherhood in praise and song In memory of the days gone by. Oh, Scion of the Southland In our hearts you shall forever fly! We cherish thoughts so dear for thee Oh Alma Mater in our pray'r. We plead for you in victory And in the victory we share, But when the battle seems in vain Our spirits never falter We're ever one in joy or pain And our union

7839-437: The course of the race. Because the average racer weighs more than the average 5-year-old, the car is allowed one support brace to be welded onto the frame. The race traces its roots back to the early 1960s, when fraternity pledges were forced to ride tricycles around campus as a form of hazing. The race was eventually formalized in 1969, and rules were instituted to make the Mini 500 an instant classic. The Ramblin' Wreck Parade

7956-499: The disbandment of the Yellow Jackets. A new traditions club was actively pursued by Anak to instill the rich Tech tradition into new freshmen. The new club was the Ramblin' Reck Club and it was established in late July 1945. The first order of business for the new Ramblin' Reck Club was to stage a Pep Meeting and traditions review for new freshmen. Reck Club was designed to prevent political domination by individual social fraternities as Yellow Jacket Club had been. Membership in Reck Club

8073-468: The event. The Technique, Blueprint, and Omicron Delta Kappa rejuvenated the major event but the Yellow Jackets' reputation was severely tarnished. On May 8, 1945 the Yellow Jacket Club staged a last-ditch effort to reorganize the traditions club but by July 14, 1945 the club was disbanded. When new freshmen arrived on campus in 1945, the student body was concerned that traditions would be lost with

8190-426: The feat, if not outright expulsion. Security features such as security cameras, pressure sensitive roof tiling, and fiber optic cabling running throughout the letters have been added to the T to help prevent its theft and aid in catching the perpetrators. In 1999, the T was successfully stolen by a group of "six or seven people" on the morning of June 3. The location of that T is still unknown. In 2001, two members of

8307-480: The fee and get a T-shirt but do not have to run. Part of the race is run along the Tyler Brown Pi-Mile Trail, a 3.14-mile running course around well-lit areas of the Georgia Tech campus, designated with disc-shaped markers and maps along the way. Tyler Brown was a former Student Government Association president who ran daily for ROTC and pushed heavily for a well-lit and safe running trail. Tyler Brown

8424-451: The first versions of "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech". The first professional band director was Frank "Wop" Roman. Roman is noted for writing Tech's Alma Mater as well as "Up With the White and Gold". Roman copyrighted "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech" in 1919 and led the bands until his death in 1928. Since Roman there have been seven professional band directors. The directors have had varying levels of success and longevity. The Swarm

8541-425: The four sides of the seven-story central tower, dominating the building's facade and visible from many parts of the Georgia Tech campus and surrounding area. Georgia Tech students have several times stolen the letter 'T' from one of these signs, a prank once tolerated but now strictly forbidden. In 1887, the state of Georgia acquired 9 acres (3.6 ha) of land from Atlanta pioneer Richard Peters that would form

8658-419: The fraternity Beta Theta Pi were caught and suspended in an attempt to steal the T. In October 2005, a replica of the T was stolen from the Student Services Building and returned two days later. Despite the lack of physical danger involved in stealing the spare T, the theft was still strongly criticized. The most recent successful theft of the T occurred during Georgia Tech's spring break on March 18, 2014, which

8775-521: The heads of the familiar team of Clydesdale horses ) and is performed to the tune of an old Budweiser jingle . The Georgia Tech additional lyrics are as follows: The Dean George C. Griffin Pi Mile 5K Road Race is run annually in the spring on the Georgia Tech campus. One of the longest continually running races in Atlanta, it is named after former dean of students, George C. Griffin, in honor of his tenure as

8892-433: The huge symbolic letter T off the building. The 'T' was first stolen in April 1969 by a secret group of Georgia Tech students calling themselves the "Magnificent Seven." The students, who were inspired by a similar prank that had taken place in 1968 at Harvard University , planned the theft as a means of commemorating Institute President Edwin D. Harrison 's retirement. The 'T' was returned several days later via helicopter at

9009-496: The jungles of Panama . These devices and their creators were nicknamed Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech. Since then the term Ramblin' Wreck has been applied to a graduate or current student of Georgia Tech. The actual Ramblin' Reck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe first acquired by then-associate dean of students James E. Dull , in 1961. The first Ramblin' Wreck mascot reference was in 1926 to Dean Floyd Field's 1914 Ford Model T . Sports teams of Georgia Tech are also called

9126-417: The late 1890s was stolen in 1902. The whistle was returned to Dean Griffin in 1949 as a retirement gift. The second theft of the whistle occurred in 1963, when a group of students nicknamed the "Magnificent 7" stole the whistle. Fearing Institute repercussions, the group returned the whistle in the spring of 1964. The whistle was again stolen in 1978 by a group nicknamed the "Committee of Five". The whistle

9243-403: The morning of the homecoming game. This distance is about a one-half mile, so the crowd of several hundred participants engages in a mad sprint over the relatively short distance. The race runs through the middle of the campus's Greek sector and is often subject to tampering by fraternity students. The competitors are supposed to be freshmen (students with less than 30 hours of credit), and the race

9360-561: The name Pilgrim's and was originally located on the corner of North Avenue and Techwood Drive. Its name changed to Junior's Grill in 1958, and it moved locations twice since then. Due to the need to construct apartments for the 1996 Summer Olympics , the restaurant was forced to close and vacate its North Avenue location in October 1993; in February 1994, it reopened in the Bradley Building. It

9477-447: The now-defunct Area II dormitories. Each member is given a unique face design that is retired upon his graduation. The group is not considered an official club as its members do not bow to any charters and are not affiliated with Swarm. The Goldfellas take pride in their complete lack of clothing besides a yellow wig and gym shorts. The group never sits during the course of a football game, not even during halftime. The largest gathering of

9594-459: The original campus of what was then called the Georgia School of Technology, as well as the site of its first two structures. The state hired the well-known architectural firm Bruce & Morgan to design an Academic Building, containing "ample accommodations in halls, offices, apparatus rooms, recitation and lecture rooms, free hand and mechanical drawing rooms, library and chapel," as well as

9711-665: The original campus were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District . Near the entrance to Tech Tower, a Georgia historical marker maintained by the Georgia Historical Society commemorates this listing as well as the early history of the Georgia Tech campus. On May 22, 1998, Tech Tower was officially renamed the Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building in

9828-446: The post because of negative pressure from the GT administration). The tradition of stealing the 'T' from Tech Tower has inspired copycat crimes involving other signage. During a Georgia Tech– NC State football game on November 4, 2006, the second 'T' from a large nc state university banner mysteriously vanished from the upper deck of Carter–Finley Stadium where it had been hanging. It

9945-402: The potential for damage to the building. Clough also expressed concern over the "incredibly expensive liability litigation" Georgia Tech could face in the event of an accident. To discourage climbing, security features such as pressure-sensitive roof tiling, fiber optic cabling running throughout the letters, and an audible alarm have been added to the 'T' to help prevent its theft. In 2011,

10062-437: The preceding week – so that he would have what every Tech man needed, his own glowing yellow T for a conversation piece. On the evening of November 6, 1997, the 'T's were nearly stolen from the north, south and west sides of Tech Tower by five students wielding hacksaws, tin snips, and rappelling equipment. The students were caught by Georgia Tech police acting on a tip provided by an anonymous informant. The stolen north 'T'

10179-602: The process of stealing the 'T' by lowering it via a rope and moving it to a secret location. The letter also included a photograph of the 'T' "on vacation" in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia . Finally, the perpetrators indicated plans to return the 'T' during the Georgia Tech Homecoming Parade, according to tradition, as long as no criminal charges would be brought against them. The letter was signed by fictitious Georgia Tech alumnus George P. Burdell . However,

10296-411: The reason. Georgia Tech Homecoming is a celebration held once a year for alum of the Institute to return to campus and take part in several festivities and Institute traditions. The themed homecoming festivities all lead up to a Saturday football contest. The events are usually led off with various Greek sports tournaments followed by the Mini 500, Freshman Cake Race, and the Wreck Parade. Every year

10413-632: The sales success in Europe that would greet their smaller successor in Britain and Germany. From the mid-1910s through the early 1920s, Ford dominated the automotive market with its Model T. However, during the mid-1920s, this dominance eroded as competitors, especially the various General Motors divisions, caught up with Ford's mass production system and began to better Ford in some areas, especially by offering more powerful engines, new convenience features, or cosmetic customization. Ford's sales force recognized

10530-409: The school year (if Georgia Tech lost). If Tech did not play UGA that year, freshmen were allowed to stop wearing their caps after a homecoming game victory. If the team lost, then the previously stated rules applied. Freshmen caught not wearing the cap faced varying degrees of hazing , including having their hair shaved into the shape of a letter tee ("T") or a T-cut. Anti-hazing laws in the 1960s led to

10647-420: The school's establishment is Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate , Georgia Tech's heated, long-standing and ongoing rivalry with the University of Georgia . The first known hostilities between the two schools trace back to 1891. Several legends originated at Georgia Tech. George P. Burdell , Tech's ever-present fictional student, was created in 1927 when a student filled out two application forms. Burdell went on to lead

10764-486: The student body elects a Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech. These are two individuals who have excelled in academics and extracurriculars on Tech campus. The titles changed from homecoming king and queen to Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech in 1987 at the request of Dean James E. Dull . The first homecoming was organized by ANAK in 1916. In 2008, Georgia Tech hosted the Virginia Cavaliers for its 92nd homecoming celebration and ended

10881-451: The students planned the theft as a means of commemorating Institute President Edwin D. Harrison 's retirement. The 'T' was returned several days later via helicopter at the behest of Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen . A high point of the celebration came when Tech students unveiled and presented to Harrison a 5 ft-tall (1.5 m) T – a part of the four Tech signs around the top of the administration building that had mysteriously disappeared

10998-425: The task. The Yellow Jacket Club helped facilitate the Freshman Cake Race and helped to organize the first Wreck Parades in 1932. The Yellow Jacket Club were the strict student enforcement of the freshmen RAT rules as well. The Yellow Jacket Club maintained prestige and political power on campus until late 1944. The Yellow Jacket Club was in charge of the 1945 school-wide Spring Social and failed to properly organize

11115-503: The third floor, which are arched. The entire complex sits on the crest of a tree-dotted hill, giving it the appearance of being larger than it actually is. As the oldest building on the Georgia Tech campus, Tech Tower has accumulated a number of peripheral monuments and sites of interest over the years. Two walkways encircle the building, including the Tower Walk, donated by the Class of 1950 in 2000. Georgia Tech's first class memorial,

11232-405: The threat and advised Henry to respond to it. Initially, he resisted, but the T's sagging market share finally forced him to admit a replacement was needed. When he finally agreed to begin development of this new model, he focused on the mechanical aspects and on what today is called design for manufacturability (DFM), which he had always strongly embraced and for which the Model T production system

11349-461: The time, insisted on copper shingles to match the building's original construction materials. One of these shingles and a small marker inside the Tech Tower entrance lobby commemorate Clary and his donation. Additional restoration of Tech Tower's exterior and the Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District, funded by the Class of 1950 and Class of 1975, began in 2000. As part of Phase I of

11466-538: The trade school days, originally used to mark the end of a shift in the shops; now it is used both to mark the end of classes and as a fifteen-minute warning to the beginning of the next classes. It is also blown when Georgia Tech's football team scores a touchdown or wins a game, and at each spring's "When the Whistle Blows" remembrance ceremony. Although not as popular as "stealing the T", the whistle has been stolen several times. The first ever Tech whistle installed in

11583-819: The tradition of stealing the 'T' from Tech Tower. Ford Model A (1927) Convertible sedan (400A) Business coupe Coupe Deluxe coupe Special coupe (1928–29 limited run) Sport coupe Ford or coupe Deluxe coupe Standard Fordor sedan – Murray Standard Fordor sedan – Briggs Deluxe Fordor sedan – Murray Deluxe Fordor sedan – Briggs Leatherback Fordor sedan Standard Fordor sedan – slant windshield Mail truck Panel truck Phaeton 2-door Phaeton 4-door Deluxe service pickup Roadster pickup Cabriolet Pickup Deluxe pickup Standard roadster Roadster utility Deluxe roadster Sport roadster Station wagon Taxi cab Town car Town car delivery Standard Tudor sedan The Ford Model A (also colloquially called

11700-523: The virtual elimination of the tradition, although the use of RAT caps is still actively maintained by the marching band. The RAT rules enforced by upperclassmen and in particular the Ramblin' Reck Club are presented in the July 17, 1964, edition of the Technique . The rules are listed below: Junior's Grill was a restaurant located in East Campus next to Tech Tower . The restaurant was first opened in 1948 under

11817-634: Was killed in action in Iraq on September 14, 2004. The trail was completed in December 2004 and was dedicated in his honor in April 2005. Stealing the T The Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building , commonly known as Tech Tower , is a historic building and focal point of the central campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta , Georgia, United States. Located at 225 North Avenue NW in Midtown Atlanta , it

11934-404: Was a bee costume donned by Judi McNair of Reck Club. She sported her bee costume to home basketball games and pep rallies. In 1973, a spandex -clad hero named T-Man and his faithful sidekick T patrolled campus in search of opposing mascots and fans. T-Man would perform spirit skits at pep rallies and home basketball games. Often seen riding in the Ramblin' Wreck, T-Man was an anonymous member of

12051-505: Was also stolen in 1969 and 1997. Both times the whistle was returned almost immediately after its theft. In 1969, the whistle was given to the student body president as a graduation gift a month after its theft and the 1997 theft was solved when President Clough found the whistle on his lawn a day after its theft. The current steam whistle, located near Tech Tower , was built by the GTRI Machine Shop and installed in 2004. Prior to

12168-449: Was an honor society created in 1910 originally as a social branch of Tech's Koseme Society. The Bull Dogs first major role was facilitating the first cross country races that eventually evolved into the Freshman Cake Race. The Bull Dogs only admitted rising juniors and seniors into their ranks in order to maintain prestige and honor in the club. The Bull Dogs rise to Institute prominence also led to their eventual demise. The Bull Dogs put

12285-466: Was determined that the Model A would rely more on drop forgings than the Model T, but his ideas to improve the DFM of forging did not prove practical. Eventually, Ford's engineers persuaded him to relent, lest the Model A's production cost force up its retail price too much. It was during the period from the mid-1920s to the early 1930s that the limits of the first generation of mass production , epitomized by

12402-520: Was erected in 1888 as the Academic Building , with classrooms to complement the hands-on training in the adjacent shop building. It was the second edifice completed on the Georgia Tech campus and it is the oldest surviving one. Tech Tower has achieved local, cultural, and historical significance. Monuments and plaques commemorating philanthropy towards Georgia Tech adorn the building and surrounding landscape. The red brick, Victorian-style building

12519-467: Was famous. Although ultimately successful, the development of the Model A included many problems that had to be resolved. For example, the die stamping of parts from sheet steel , which the Ford company had led to new heights of development with the Model T production system, was something Henry had always been ambivalent about; it had brought success, but he felt that it was not the best choice for durability. He

12636-457: Was founded in 1930 as the Yellow Jacket Club to help bolster school spirit. Coach William Alexander found campus spirit to be particularly low during the Great Depression . His successful football program and the other athletic teams had very few student fans attending the games. In 1930, Alexander approached Professor Fred Wenn about organizing and founding such a club, who agreed to take up

12753-560: Was limited to two individuals per fraternity or military ROTC program. A group known as the T-Club was charged with upholding the RAT rules with incoming freshmen. Four years after Tech became coed, Reck Club became the first non- faith-based organization on campus to admit a female member. Paula Stevenson was the club's first female member in 1956. Under Reck Club, the strict RAT rules slowly faded away. Anti-hazing laws severely diminished Reck Club's ability to punish Tech freshmen for disobeying

12870-460: Was optional. In cooler climates, owners could purchase an aftermarket cast iron unit to place over the exhaust manifold to provide heat to the cab. A small door provided adjustment of the amount of hot air entering the cab. The Model A was the first car to have safety glass in the windshield. The Soviet company GAZ , which started as a joint venture between Ford and the Soviet Union, made

12987-511: Was owned and operated by Tommy Klemis, an electrical engineering graduate of Georgia Tech. The restaurant housed pieces of Tech history, including aerial photographs of campus from various years, assorted Georgia Tech memorabilia, portraits of prominent individuals in Tech's history, and a section of the goalpost from Tech's 1990 National Championship game in the Citrus Bowl . Junior's Grill closed permanently in April 2011, citing slow business as

13104-480: Was recovered in the back of a blue Ford Explorer that was parked at the Copper Kettle on Howell Mill Road, also in response to an anonymous tip. Each student was required to pay $ 2,446.75 in damages ($  4,644 in 2024) although criminal charges were not filed. The Georgia Tech Office of Facilities reinstalled the 'T' on January 31, 1998, 87 days after its attempted theft. One of the most theatrical thefts of

13221-424: Was suspended through the following summer, while also having to pay a restitution fee and tuition to retake his nearly completed Spring 2014 classes. To handle this financial burden, the restitution fee alone totaling $ 14,823.98, a GoFundMe was created by a friend of the thief that was well known on campus, to assure its legitimacy, without revealing the thief's identity (the friend's name has since been removed from

13338-415: Was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle, and gearshift. Previous Fords used controls that had become uncommon to drivers of other makes. The Model A's fuel was situated in the cowl, between the engine compartment's fire wall and the dash panel. It had a visual fuel gauge, and the fuel flowed to the carburetor by gravity. A rear-view mirror

13455-484: Was the first time since 1999 that it had been successfully stolen. The term Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech refers to either current students or alumni, the school mascot (also referred to as the Ramblin' Reck), or the various sports teams. Georgia Tech alumni, working on the construction of the Panama Canal , were called Ramblin' Wrecks for the ingenious machines that they devised to transport themselves in and out of

13572-484: Was to "light the spirit of Tech to the four points of the compass ." The signs were originally made of wood and painted white and gold – the Institute colors. In the 1930s, lightbulbs were affixed to the signs to illuminate them more effectively than the earlier ground-based spotlights. In 1949, the TECH signs were supplemented by neon lighting in metal frames. In 1978, Tech Tower and the surrounding 9 acres (3.6 ha) of

13689-405: Was widely assumed across the Tech campus that the prank was pulled off by a group of Georgia Tech students in an homage to the longstanding Tech Tower tradition; however, it is possible that the T in the banner came loose and fell to the stands below. Another copy cat incident occurred some time after the 2012 football game with Virginia Tech when vandals, believed to be Yellow Jacket fans, pried

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