Did you know that last month we celebrated the 100th birthday of the MIT beaver? (His name is Tim – get it? MIT backwards?). It’s an appropriate relationship because graduates from MIT and beavers both design things, maintain things, and come to think of it, a lot of folk really don’t want either of them around.
There’s an article about it here with a really fun slide show of Tim through the ages. I was able only to snag to photos that were my favorite, but you really should go look. A big thanks to Malcolm Kenton of D.C. who sent this my way and rightly thought I’d be interested.
The MIT Beaver Through the Years
MIT’s longtime mascot, the Beaver, turns 100 on January 17, 2014, and everyone is invited. Since its arrival, the beaver—now known as Tim—has become a familiar face around campus, both in person and in print. To honor his centennial, check out a gallery of rare images that honors Tim and highlights how much the beaver has changed over past 100 years.
Being an unimpressive graduate myself, I didn’t know about the MIT beaver until Captain Frye spoke passionately about the topic at the November 2007 beaver meeting lo these many years ago. He was a graduate complete with Brass Rat and described why beavers were highly respected engineers because they could dam a stream while the stream was still running, rather than forcing the water to detour while they worked like we do. I’m never forgot his sage advice.
Happy Birthday MIT beaver! Hope you had the ‘tim’ of your life! Given Massachusetts comically tragic relationship with beavers, I especially loved this photo.
This morning’s donation is a handcrafted beaver stained glass, designed by UpNorth Suncatchers. Designed, crafted and donated by Mark House in Michigan. I’m sure you know just the window it would work in, so get ready to bid high. Thanks Mark!
