THE HEDGEHOG BLOG

We’re taking a break here from politics and teeth-gritting, which will return momentarily (I’ve got to tell you about a totally freaky scary thingy that happened but that’s for later.)

Today’s newspaper brought this story and I’m so very happy about it. According to the Seattle Times, MIT has honored The Smoot. Finally.

Back in 1958, the shortest guy to pledge a particular fraternity (I’m so not a fan of the Greek system, but this is a big exception) was Oliver Smoot. Back in ’58, Mr. Smoot and his fraternity brothers went to the Mass Ave Bridge and (there are no reports here about levels of alcohol) decided to measure the bridge by using the 5 feet 7 inch student. I had been told and it apparently was true, that in order to measure the bridge, Smoot got up and laid back down for every measurement. As it turns out, the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge is 364.4 Smoots long (plus, apparently, one ear). Over the years, the marks have been freshened by each class with (according to Wikipedia) frat members painting the marks on the bridge twice a year. (MIT folks take their traditions seriously, nu?)

The 50th anniversary of the Smoot was recently celebrated at MIT. Mr Smoot (who apparently has a famous Nobel Laureate cousin) was given a plaque to celebrate “Smoot Celebration Day”. Said plaque will be installed on the bridge later this year.

The second best thing about this story is that the Smoot is a standard of measurement used by Google in both Google Earth and their calculator.

The best part? Oliver Smoot was chair of the American National Standards Institute.

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2008-10-05 2:41 PM Smoot, Smoot, Smoot, let's hear it for the Smoot! Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook	We’re taking a break here from politics and teeth-gritting, which will return momentarily (I’ve got to tell you about a totally freaky scary thingy that happened but that’s for later.) Today’s newspaper brought this story and I’m so very happy about it. According to the Seattle Times, MIT has honored The Smoot. Finally. Back in 1958, the shortest guy to pledge a particular fraternity (I’m so not a fan of the Greek system, but this is a big exception) was Oliver Smoot. Back in ’58, Mr. Smoot and his fraternity brothers went to the Mass Ave Bridge and (there are no reports here about levels of alcohol) decided to measure the bridge by using the 5 feet 7 inch student. I had been told and it apparently was true, that in order to measure the bridge, Smoot got up and laid back down for every measurement. As it turns out, the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge is 364.4 Smoots long (plus, apparently, one ear). Over the years, the marks have been freshened by each class with (according to Wikipedia) frat members painting the marks on the bridge twice a year. (MIT folks take their traditions seriously, nu?) The 50th anniversary of the Smoot was recently celebrated at MIT. Mr Smoot (who apparently has a famous Nobel Laureate cousin) was given a plaque to celebrate “Smoot Celebration Day”. Said plaque will be installed on the bridge later this year. The second best thing about this story is that the Smoot is a standard of measurement used by Google in both Google Earth and their calculator. The best part? Oliver Smoot was chair of the American National Standards Institute. Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top
:: HOME :: GET EMAIL UPDATES :: International Rescue Committee :: Brady Campaign to END GUN VIOLENCE :: Americans for Responsible Solutions :: David Zinn, artist :: Wendy Goldberg :: Kiva - microlending :: SQUISHIES!!!! :: Sluggo! Ann Arbor's Foremost two dimensional resident :: Mr. Monkey! :: Give Free books! :: Flying Spaghetti Monster! :: Matthew Shepard Foundation :: THE BLUE CARD :: Kickstarter :: EMAIL ::