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The Walkway Sheffield Building, Imperial College

ABTA I ATA m WHEREVER YOU'RE BOUND, WE'RE BOUND TO HAVE BEEN.STA TRAVEL Felix 1000th Edition

Contents

That Was The World That Was 4 A review of some of the more interesting news items to appear in Felix since 1949.

A Brief History Of Imperial College 10 A guide to the history of the buildings around Imperial College.

A Day In The Life Of Imperial College 14 Photographs showing some of the events of a typical College day.

How The Huxley Building Got Its Name... 20 The people behind the names of some of the buildings around College.

Looking Back Over 80 Years Of Clubs And Societies 22 The changing shape of the clubs and societies of Imperial College Union.

Changing Careers of Graduates 24 The changes in the destinations of university graduates over the last 40 years.

A Week In The Life Of Felix 26 Photographs showing what goes into producing an issue of Felix.

A Glimpse Into The Future 28 Some of the changes we can expect to Imperial College and the surrounding area.

Felix Icons from the past 31 How the Felix logo has changed since it began on 9th December 1949. Felix 1000th Edition A Time of Change and Opportunity

Felix was born in an era that Consort statue to discolour the there and I wanted a smoke, so I saw the first green shoots of light. Several sets of antlers had jumped." 1949 student rebellion and it very also been removed from stuffed February 1956 ended with quickly showed that it was not animal heads on the walls of a the NUS organising a house to going to be left out of the dining hall and replaced with house collection to raise proceedings. bicycle handlebars. The club £30,000 for a new student hostel Anarchy reigned in the very was renamed '28V2' and a funeral in London. Issue 87 reported the first issue (9th December 1949) was held in Silwood Park. impending demolition of the with a scathing attack on the In the annual Morphy Day Imperial Institute to make way police for breaking up students' boat race competitions in for the expansion of College. Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. November, the Royal College of Internationally, the Suez Crisis The police hosed both the Science won the Lowry Cup for reached its conclusion towards bonfire and the assembled the first time since 1948. the end of the year. students and in the ensuing Issue 60 (March 1954) Weeks Hall was paid for by chaos they arrested 16 people. congratulated students on the Vickers Ltd in March 1957 at a Readers were asked to "dig statistic that more debaggings cost of £150,000. The Jubilee of Imperial College's Charter was celebrated by a visit from the Queen Mother on 28th May. The Wolfenden Report was published on 4th September, recommending the legalisation of homosexual acts between 1949 adults in private. The Jodrell Britain recognises Israel Jan 29 Bank radio telescope came into Parliament Act passed - Nov 29 operation on 11th October. First issue of Felix Dec 9 The future of the Queen's 1950 Tower, part of the soon-to-be Britain recognises China Jan 9 demolished Imperial Institute, 1951 was under speculation at the RSM centenary celebration Oct start of 1958. An ex-Imperial First British atom bomb tests Oct 3 College geologist, Dr John Zebra crossings introduced - Oct 31 The RCS crew won the Lowry Cup on Morphy Day, 1953 Stephenson, reached the South 1952 Pole with the Commonwealth King George VI dies - Feb 6 deep" to help pay their fines. (removal of someone's trousers) Trans-Antarctic expedition in NUS disaffiliates from IUS Nov In the outside world, the per person per hour took place January. Christopher Cockerell's 1953 British Government officially in the previous week than ever newly-invented hovercraft was ULU debate on abortion - Feb 6 recognised the Communist state before. On 6th May, Dr Roger patented on 23rd May. Mt Everest conquered - May 29 of China (9th January 1950) and Bannister ran the first sub-four Controversy surrounded Coronation of Elizabeth II - Jun 2 Foreign Office officials Guy minute mile at the Iffley Road Imperial College's arts maga- 1954 Burgess and Donald Maclean track in Oxford. zine Phoenix in February 1959. Four minute mile achieved - May 6 defected to Russia (May 1951). On 3rd March 1955, the Its editor, David Irving, was Food rationing ends - Jul 2 The Suez Crisis began to Queen Mother was elected dismissed by the Students 1955 develop as British/Egyptian Chancellor of the University of Union at a packed Union Piltdown Man hoax confirmed - Jan 21 relations worsened. London. Frank Irving and Lome Meeting for "his unwillingness QM elected Chancellor - Mar 3 The National Union of Welch of the Imperial College to cooperate with the Board of 1st 2-seater cross-channei glide - May 14 Students (NUS) removed itself Gliding Club made the first Directors". He was later First commercial TV broadcast - Sep 22 from the International Union of two-seater glider flight across appointed editor of the 1956 Students in November 1952 the English Channel on 14th Carnival Times, a rag maga- NUS organise hostel collection - Feb after failure to confirm it would May, landing in Belgium after a zine organised by ULU. Last British troops leave Suez - Jun 13 not have to be involved in the flight of 250 miles. The Haldane Library was 1957 political side of the organisation. The first commercial televi- officially opened at 13 Princes First Premium Bond prizes - Jun 1 A University of London sion broadcast took place on Gardens on 8th May. A Union Weeks Hall paid for by Vickers - Mar debate on 6th February 1953 22nd September, prompting the Meeting in December voted to IC Charter Jubilee - May recommended the legalisation BBC into scheduling the death boycott all goods from the Wolfenden Report published - Sep 4 of abortion. This was also the of Grace Archer in 'The Union of South Africa. The first 1958 year when Derek Bentley was Archers' radio serial as a hovercraft Channel crossing Ex-IC geologist reaches S. Pole - Jan hanged, despite 200 MPs plead- counter-attraction. took place on 25th July. Post The hovercraft is patented - May 23 ing for a reprieve. A second year Physics codes were used for the first 1959 July saw the death of the student jumped from the second time in Norwich on 3rd Irving dismissed from Phoenix - Feb infamous '29 Club', a group of floor of the Royal College of October. On 6th November, Haldane Library opened - May 8 practical jokers responsible for Science on 9th December. He two motorists were killed in an Post codes used for first time - Oct 3 putting coloured paper all over announced: "A friend of mine accident on the Ml, which Two killed on new Ml - Nov 6 the lamps in front of the Prince was handing out fags down opened earlier that week. Felix 1000th Edition That Was The World That Was

The 1960s was a decade of indecision over Imperial College's relationship with the 1960- National Union of Students (NUS). After cutting its ties with the national body in 1948, 1967 Imperial College Union (ICU) again voted not to re-affiliate. The decision was made on a majority of seven votes at a Union Meeting on 3rd May 1960. That summer, the Anderson report on student funding rec- ommended the abolition of State Scholarships. The new Physics block was opened on 20th October by Sir John Cockroft. The Sports Centre under construction in 1967 This was the same day that the trial of Penguin Books (for pub- Act came into force on lst The Rag Carnival Board lishing DH Lawrence's Lady August, raising the minimum were devastated in February by Chatterley's Lover) began. The prison age to 17. The Great the news that Chelsea police company was acquitted of an Train Robbery took place on 8th would not allow street collec- obscenity charge on 2nd August. Approximately £2.5 tions during the Carnival in 1960 November. million was stolen from the May. An appeal to reverse the Oct 20 - Lady Chatterley trial begins 9th April 1961 saw the Cross Glasgow to London mail train. decision was rejected by the Oct20 -New Physics block opened Country Club complete a Technology became a major Home Office, but late in April Dec 31 - National Service abolished Land's End to John O'Groats focus of coverage in 1964 as the police finally agreed to 1961 relay in 99 hours 14 minutes. BBC2 began transmission on allow collections. Apr 9 "ICXC Club finish country relay Britain's first satellite, Ariel, 16th April and it was announced Work on isolating the Sep 12- "Bertrand Russell jailed at 89 was launched from Cape on 6th May that Imperial Queen's Tower as a free stand- 1962 Canaveral in America on 26th College was being given an ing campanile began on 14th Apr26 - -Britain's first satellite launch April 1962. Felix began to be IBM 7090 computer. The first March. Jun -Felix starts internal printing printed internally in June. This British space flight (of the 'Blue Controversy erupted in Oct 22- - Imperial Institute Rd closed was in order to halve the cost of Streak' rocket) took place on November when the Royal Nov 24- -First broadcast of TW3 printing - Felix was losing £250 5th June. In November, the College of Science Union Dec30 -Worst snowstorms since 1881 a year at the time. The printing Board of Studies decided on (RCSU) passed a motion to 1963 equipment was donated to the regulations to keep Wednesday rejoin the NUS. In what was Mar 7 - " NUS affiliation overturned Union by the College afternoons free for RCS almost a repeat of previous May 11 "First residents in Southside Governing Body. As part of the students to allow them to take events in ICU, the decision was Jun 5 - Profumo resigns after scandal expansion of Imperial College, part in sports. The rules were overturned at the next RCSU Aug 1 Criminal Justice Act in force Imperial Institute Road was implemented the following year. meeting. It was also rejected by Aug 8 - Great train robbery takes place permanently closed on 22nd In 1965, the Royal School of a referendum held soon after- 1964 October. The satirical television Mines Union changed their mas- wards. Apr 21 BBC2 begins transmission programme 'That Was The cot from a 'Michelin man' to a Foundations for the Sports May 6- - IC to get IBM 7090 computer Week That Was' (TW3) was three foot model of a Davy lamp Centre were finally laid around June 5 -First British space flight first broadcast on 24th (18th May). The University of the start of 1967, four years Nov -Wednesday afternoons decision November. London nuclear reactor was after the original plans were 1965 The debate on NUS affilia- opened at Silwood Park on 22nd finished. Mike the Micrometer Feb 18 -ICUreaffiliates to NUS tion continued during the early June. was retrieved from University Mayis -RSMU mascot changed part of 1963. A Union Meeting Students were shocked in College in February, after being Jun 22 -Consort Reactor opened on 7th February voted by a October as the accounts of stolen the previous December. It Oct 8 -Post office tower opened majority of 16 to join the organ- London Students' Carnival Ltd, had been set into a block of Oct 28 -Death penalty abolished isation, but this was overturned a rag organisation, showed it concrete in the College's bar. 1966 at an Extraordinary General had not given any money to The Royal School of Mines Jan - Mike the Micrometer cast Meeting on 7th March by a charity in the previous year due, Union suffered a setback in Mari4- -Queen's Tower work begins majority of 61 votes. The first in part, to administration costs. October when Clem, its Morris Jul 30 "England win World Cup students moved into Falmouth The month ended with Lorry, failed her MOT. Oct 21 -144 killed in Aberfan disaster and Tizard halls of residence on Parliament abolishing the death Nationally, Britain applied to Nov - - RCSU reject NUS memberhsip 11th May. penalty for murder for an exper- join the EEC in May, only to 1967 In the outside world, MP imental five year period. have its entry vetoed by France Jul 14 -Decimal Currency Act passed John Profumo resigned from the 1966 began with the casting on 19th December. The liner Sep20- - QE2 launched Government on 5th June after a of Mike the Micrometer, 'Queen Elizabeth IF was Oct -Clem fails MOT scandal. The Criminal Justice Imperial College's new mascot. launched on 20th Sepember. Dec 19 ; - Britain refused entry to EEC Felix 1000th Edition Students Fight For Their Rights

Felix produced a special issue in wanted top Union officials to be was imposed on 30th March January 1968 which reported elected by a campus-wide after heightening violence. The 1968- the purchase of 54-56 Evelyn ballot. ICU voted to rejoin the Murray Report, which was Gardens by College for student NUS in early November in the published on 14th November, accommodation. first Union Meeting to take recommended alterations to the 1975 Less than a fortnight later, a place in the Great Hall. The new make-up of the University of fire in a Falmouth Hall room College block, including the London, including forcing IC to caused Felix to call the Hall's Sherfield Building and library, get its money from the fire precautions into question. was opened by the Queen in University and not directly from The fire had been quickly and November. Government. enthusiastically put out using After eight years of negotia- Britain and the Irish Republic extinguishers by several fire tions, the proposed merger formally became members of fighters who then proceeded to between Imperial College and the the EEC on lst January 1973. dispose of furniture and various Architectural Association was The first Union General other articles through a Meeting of the year (in window. Rather than evac- January) saw students uating the area, a crowd of oppose direct action in the sightseers gathered on the form of a rent strike to staircase to watch. protest at Government In March, 2,500 students grant cuts. Felix 330 (27th attended a National Union February) reported Union of Students (NUS) rally in Council plans to merge Trafalgar Square in protest Ents, DramSoc, FilmSoc, at the Government cutting OpSoc and the Folk and student grants. The Royal Jazz Clubs into the Social Commission on Medical & Cultural Amusements Education recommended a Board. A Refectory medical faculty for Committee Meeting in Imperial College in a report March was told that it published in April. After would cost £3,350 to clear American civil rights refectory areas of cock- campaigner Martin Luther roaches and mice. The King was shot on 4th April, Government introduced James Earl Ray was arrested Value Added Tax (VAT) — 1968 on lst April. 54-56 Evelyn Gdns bought — Jan for his murder at Heathrow Airport on 8th June. Martin Luther King shot — Apr 4 The Government finally First decimal coins issued — Apr 21 The Sports Centre jjll gave way to pressure on the Sports Centre opened — Oct opened in early October, SB inadequacy of student — 1969 but was beset by several j grants in June 1974 and Voting age reduced to 18 — May 1 cases of vandalism within a announced a 25% increase. Oil discovered in North Sea — Jun 20 week of it opening. At the 'Davey', the RSMU mascot The first McDonald's Queen opens College block — Nov end of the month, Morphy hamburger restaurant — 1970 Day was marred by two people abandoned (January 1970). opened in London on lst IC merger abandoned — Jan being seriously injured in fights. November was the month in October. The IRA bombed two The Beatles split up — Apr 9 Imperial College launched a which the Government issued a Birmingham pubs on 7th - 1971 public appeal on 9th January consultative document on the November killing 21 people and Union financing protests — Jan 1969 for £2 million to pay for financing of Student Unions. A injuring 120. Lord Lucan OU begins broadcasting — Jan 3 student and staff accommodation. demonstration march against the disappeared on 11th November after Sandra Rivett, Lady Decimal currency in operation - Feb 15 Student militancy erupted in proposals in central London Lucan's nanny, was murdered. — 1972 February as the London School attracted 20,000 students Miners strike begins - Jan 9 of Economics temporarily (January 1971). Two workers at Windscale Murray Report published — Nov 14 closed after internal problems in The Open University began died from leukaemia on 10th - 1973 its dealings with students' polit- television broadcasts on 3rd January 1975. At the end of the Britain becomes part of EEC — Jan 1 ical views. The militants, who January. Decimal currency month the City & Guilds SCAB to be formed - Feb 27 staged a sit-in at the University came into operation nationally College Union, after stealing the VAT introduced - Apr 1 of London Union in protest at on 15th February, 'Decimal Royal School of Mines Union — 1974 the closing, were condemned by Day'. On 2nd December, the mascot 'Davey', managed to Grant increased by 25% — Jun a meeting of the City & Guilds House of Commons rejected a trick them into paying £50 for a Birmingham pub bombings — Nov 7 College Union but supported by move to retain British Summer wooden replica. Lord Lucan disappears — Nov 11 a subsequent Union Meeting. Time during the winter months. IC Radio received an indica- — 1975 A referendum on the The miners' strike began on tion from the Home Office in Two Windscale workers die — Jan 10 Imperial College Union (ICU) 9th January 1972, causing wide- early November that they may C&GU trick RSMU over £50 - Jan 31 constitution held on 24th spread disruption to industry. be granted test licence. IC Radio test license hopeful — Nov February revealed that students Direct rule of Northern Ireland

— 6 — Felix 1000th Edition Donations, Death and the Devil

An anonymous donation of first time in colour on 10th May April. A British Task Force was £350,000 was received by the and the first heart transplant was sent to re-capture them on 5th College in January 1976. The attempted at Papworth Hospital April and the Argentinian troops 1 money was to be used to build on 18th August. Later that year, surrendered on 14th June. an extension to Linstead Hall. Margaret Thatcher donated £5 The Thames Flood Barrier, The summer of 1976 was the to ICU Rag during the City & designed to protect London hottest on record since 1727 and Guilds Union carol singing in from flooding, was raised for the drought was the worst in December on Downing Street. the first time on 31st September. Britain for 500 years. A barman at the Union Bar was stabbed on 19th February 1977. The assailant was held overnight at Gerald Row Police Station. He was released after questioning due to insufficient evidence. The Rector of Imperial College, Sir Brian Flowers, joined students in Malet Street for the start of an NUS demon- stration on national grant and tuition fees on 9th March. This was the first demonstration of this kind he had attended. Later that year, on 28th October, Yorkshire police began a hunt for the serial murderer, The winning Imperial College team on University Challenge the Yorkshire Ripper. A £13,000 facelift for Beit On 30th April 1980 the In October, the Royal Quadrangle was agreed by the Iranian Embassy in Kensington College of Science Union Rector in February 1978. A was taken over by armed men returned the King's College 1976 . large area was to be paved and who seized 20 hostages. Parts of Union mascot, Reggie, after Jan - £350,000 donation to College new shrubs and trees were to be Imperial College came to a demanding that they donate 100 Aug - Hottest summer since 1727 planted. The Biophysics section standstill on 5th May as the pints of blood to the Blood Oct 20 - IC student intake up by 10% of the Physics Department hostages were freed by SAS Transfusion Service and raise 1977 - opened on 9th June in the troops storming the building. £40 for IC Rag. Feb 19 - Barman stabbed in Union Bar Blackett Laboratory. Later that John Lennon was murdered An attempt was made in Mar 9 - Rector attends NUS protest month, the world's first test- by Mark Chapman in New York March to set up a Devil Oct 28 - Yorkshire Ripper hunt begins tube baby was born at Oldham on 8th December. Worshipping Society. It was 1978 - General Hospital on 25th July. Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire thought the aim was to poke fun Feb - Quadrangle facelift agreed A Union Meeting on 5th Ripper, was sentenced to life at the Social Clubs Committee, Jun 9 - Biophysics section opened December decided to hold a 24 imprisonment on 22nd May the group to which the society Jul 25 - First test-tube baby born hour boycott of the College 1981 after being charged with would have belonged. It would Dec 5 - Refectories boycott decided refectories in protest at their the murders of 13 women. have had such posts as High 1979 - poor quality and high prices. Over 100 protesters from Priest and Virgin Procurer. Jan 15 - RCS vote to kidnap Duke A Royal College Of Science Imperial College joined a CND Wheelclamps were intro- May 4 - Thatcher is first woman PM Union (RCS) meeting on 16th demonstration of 250,000 duced by London police on 16th May 10- STOIC in colour January 1979 voted to kidnap people in Hyde Park in October. May in an attempt to stop illegal Aug 18 - First heart transplant attempt HRH The Duke of Edinburgh A Union General Meeting in parking. 1980 - and ransom him for half the November voted to ban the A student from Chelsea Apr 30 - Hostages at Iranian Embassy Queen's income to raise money year's Rag Magazine due to its College was shot dead on the Dec 8 - John Lennon murdered for RCS Rag. overly offensive nature. The Imperial College Rifle Range on 1981 - The Imperial College decision was changed after a 10th November. The student May 22 - Yorkshire Ripper sentenced Governors agreed on 16th second vote a month later, said he was interested in joining Jul 29 - Prince Charles' wedding February to allow the Union a allowing it to be sold only to IC the University of London Rifle Nov - Offensive Rag Mag banned fourth sabbatical post - that of students. Shooting Club and was shown 1982 - the Deputy President. They did In January 1982, Imperial how to fire a gun by the rifle Jan - IC University Challenge wins not, however, grant the Union College won three consecutive range superintendent. On leav- Apr 2 - Argentinians invade Falklands any additional money to fund it. heats of the television quiz ing the range, the superinten- Nov 1 - First broadcast of Channel 4 Three 'firsts' occurred over University Challenge, against dent heard a shot and found the 1983 - the following summer: Margaret Aberdeen, Reading and New student shot through the head. Jan 17 - Breakfast Television begins Thatcher became the first Hall, Cambridge. The police treated the matter as Mar Devil Worship Society attempt woman Prime Minister on 4th Argentinian forces invaded suicide. May 16 - Wheelclamps come into use May, STOIC broadcast for the the Falkland Islands on 2nd Nov 10 - Student shot at IC Rifle Range Felix 1000th Edition Housing Less Than Accommodating

1984 proved to be a year full of same month, City & Guilds ICU gained control of profits problems for student residences. College Union held a Union from gravel extraction at the On 2nd March, Felix reported General Meeting (UGM) in the Harlington Sports Ground from that Southside may have to be second carriage of a Circle Line the College on 15th September. closed following a fire inspec- underground train after being The money was given to an tion by the Greater London left without a room to hold their independent trust which invested Council. Later in the year, meeting in. money on the Union's behalf. residents were in uproar over 1986 began with students Four student rooms in fire alarms regularly going off boycotting lectures, labs and Lexham Gardens were declared during the exam period in June. tutorials on 15th January in to be too small for occupation On 4th April, bailiffs were support of a strike called by the by a Borough Environmental called in to evict anti-nuclear Association of University Health Officer on 18th January protesters from Greenham Teachers protesting at cuts in 1988. February proved to be a Common. In November, 50 funding. In February, the more humourous month with students set up a squat in College was awarded £850,000 ICU President Ian Howgate University College London in damages by the High Court changing his name by deed poll buildings in protest at the lack for design deficiencies by the to Sidney Harbour-Bridge to of student accommodation. architects who built the raise money for Comic Relief. They were presented with a Electrical Engineering building. That summer, the College announced its plans to convert the main house at Silwood Park into a conference centre amidst protests from postgraduate students there. On 6th July, an explosion on the North Sea oil rig Piper Alpha killed 150 men. A report in Felix on 8th September told of the College's purchase of Olave House, a new student residence in Earls Court. In October, residents in Fisher Hall decided to hold a rent protest after the College failed to tell them about rent increases

— 1984 before they moved in. October Southside fails fire inspection — Mar was also the month in which the Greenham Common eviction — Apr 4 Secretary of State for Education Libyan Embassy siege — Apr 17 Kenneth Baker announced plans to introduce loans to 'top up' IRA bomb Tory conference — Oct 12 Student housing was beset by problems in the 1980s. students' grants. — 1985 Estates order hall closures — Jan possession order but refused to The Chernobyl nuclear Student politics dominated Heysel stadium football riots — May 29 leave. reactor in the USSR exploded the headlines in 1989 with a GLC abolished — Jul 16 On 18th January 1985 Felix on 26th April. lobby of Parliament by ICU — 1986 reported that student houses in Felix reported the possibility over student loans in January. AUT strike supported — Jan 15 Evelyn Gardens would be of a merger between the College A UGM on 31st January 1989 IC awarded £850,000 in court - Feb closed to carry out repairs and St Mary's Hospital Medical defeated by 150 votes an Chernobyl reactor explodes — Apr 26 costing £250,000 after all six School in May, when a working attempt by the Union Council to M25 finally completed - Oct 29 halls were found to be in contra- party was set up to discuss it. abolish UGMs. - 1987 vention of the Housing Act. The On 31st July the Biochemistry A death sentence was ICU boycotts QT — Jan College Estates division decided building was flooded. Four fire imposed by the Ayatollah Terry Waite abducted - Jan 20 to evacuate Willis Jackson engines were needed to pump Khomeini on author Salman ICU gets Harlington profits - Sep 15 house for repairs, but reversed the water out. The M25 was Rushdie on 14th February. His 17 killed in record hurricane - Oct 16 the decision on 15th February completed on 29th October. book, 'The Satanic Verses' was Community Charge announced — Nov 17 following a request from Near the end of the year, ICU regarded as insulting to the Kings Cross fire — Nov 18 Imperial College Union (ICU) began to press College adminis- Islamic faith. - 1988 that the work be carried out tration for control of the QT Later in the year, the Union Piper Alpha explosion — Jul 6 during a vacation. Riots at the Snack Bar in the JCR because took measures to minimise the Fisher Hall rent protest — Oct Heysel football stadium on 29th its profits were not benefiting disruption caused by a tube Edwina Currie salmonella scare — Dec 4 May killed 41 supporters. At the students. A student boycott of strike during the exam period. start of the new academic year, - 1989 QT in January 1987 forced it to This included setting up a ICU entered into discussions UGM rejects Council ban — Jan 31 close. Terry Waite was abducted minibus service and the arrange- with College management with Death threat issued on Rushdie — Feb 14 in Beirut while negotiating for ment of alternative sleeping the idea to take control of the Hillsborough football disaster - Apr 15 the release of other hostages on accommodation within College. running of the Union Bar. In the 20th January.

— 8 — Felix 1000th Edition Buildings and Bombshells

The new decade started with an unfortunate turn for Imperial College (IC). Winds of over 100 1990- miles an hour on 25th January 1990 caused an estimated £10,000 worth of damage to College buildings. Tizard Hall was hit by tragedy on 9th June when a student died after falling from the top floor of the building. Over the summer, the Clayponds site in South Ealing was purchased by College to provide accommodation for 405 students. The development was expected to cost around £11 million, to be partially funded by the sale of Montpelier Hall. Imperial College students protest against the Gulf War The Government was rocked in November by the resignation 'Desert Storm' in Kuwait on former Ministry of Defence of Prime Minister Margaret 16th January, an Iraqi student at Hostel on Queen's Gate Thatcher on 22nd November, IC was given 28 days notice by Terrace. The College would after controversy within the the Home Office to leave the have needed £3 million to buy Conservative party over her country (20th February). the building, which would be leadership. She was succeeded Imperial College stated their full used for student accommoda- by the Chancellor John Major support for the student's appeal. tion. Felix reported the on 28th November. The Government scrapped existence of a discussion Also this year, the elected the Poll Tax on 8th March after document on demolishing Felix Editor & Print Unit national campaigns against it. Southside halls to make way for Manager Chris Stapleton was Britain's first astronaut, Helen a conference centre (issue 938). unable to take up his sabbatical Sharman, joined Russian astro- Plans for Imperial College to post after failing his exams (he nauts in the MIR space station become a 'medical super- later re-took the year). He was on 19th May. school' were revealed in appointed to the temporary On 18th October, a student October. On 11th December, Union staff post of Print Unit was seriously injured during an two female students were Production Manager. Andy attempt to stop a mascot from assaulted and attacked by five Butcher was elected as a non- being stolen during a mascotry men outside the Huxley build- sabbatical Felix Editor in the raid. He underwent two opera- ing on Queensgate. ballot in early December. A stu- tions on his leg after being run Felix was the first to reveal dent referendum held at the over by a van that was driving leaked details of the Higher 1990 - same time rejected the idea of away with the mascot. Education Students' Charter in Jar, 25 - 46 died in winds of 1 lOmph extending the College Day to Issue 924 of Felix was stolen issue 958 (19th February 1993), Apr - Strangeways Prison riot 9am-6pm. The idea was by members of the cast of the including proposals to strip Jun9 - Student died in Southside fall proposed by a College Working joint DramSoc and OpSoc Local Education Authorities of Aug 8 - Iraq declared Kuwait annexed Party chaired by Professor Alan production 'Grease' (31st grant and fee paying powers. Nov 22 - Thatcher resigned Swanson. It was later accepted January 1992). 3,500 copies In November, the NUS Nov 28- Major became Prime Minister as College policy. were removed from departments announced it was to split into Dec 4/5- Students voted against 9-6 day A new centre for Population soon after they had been deliv- two parts to protect itself from 1991 - Biology at Silwood Park was ered. The culprits felt that a imminent legislation on student Jan 16 - Operation Desert Storm began opened by Margaret Thatcher review of the production in that reforms. One of these sections Febi4 - Birmingham Six released on 9th January 1991. Later in issue could have damaged ticket would be a registered charity. Feb 20 - IC protested at Iraqi expulsion the month, the Rector sales. Union President Zoe Speculation about the de- Feb 28 - Ceasefire in Gulf War announced plans for a new Hellinger admitted she was federalisation of the University Mar 8 - Poll Tax scrapped science park in South Wales. partly responsible. of London grew in the same May 19- Britain's first astronaut The project, located in Newport, A rally in London protesting month, as some Colleges sought Jul 22 Major outlined Citizens Charter was developed jointly by at student debt organised by the the right to award their own 1992 Imperial College, the Welsh National Union of Students degrees. The Government's Jan31 Grease cast stole 3,500 Felices Development Agency and (NUS) on 12th February official verdict on the Feb 12 - 25,000 student protest at debt Newport Borough Council. The attracted 25,000 students. Tomlinson enquiry came on jun Split over buying Furse House first phase involved the building There were rumours in June 23rd June, with reports that ten Oct IC to be medical super-school of a £2 million technology of a serious split in the College London hospitals could be 1993 centre, 'Imperial House'. management over the possibility Closed. Feb 19 Felix reveals Students Charter After the start of Operation of buying Furse House, the Jun 23 Gov response to Tomlinson

— 9 — Felix 1000th Edition Looking Back Over 80 Years Of Clubs and Societies

In you're first week of college Swimming Club, Badminton was the springboard for the you are bombarded by hundreds Club and the Rugby Football rock band Queen, Brian May of opportunities to join various Club. having studied at Imperial clubs. Getting lost and confused Sport was not the only inter- College. in the number of clubs and soci- est at the time, as shown by the The next major step was the Wei Lee eties at Imperial College is existence of the Chess Club, reforming of the existing clubs quite easy and if you try to Christian Union and the Wine into two committees, the understand the structure it gets Tasting Society, which is Athletics Clubs Committee and worse! Clubs, committees, notable for having met in the the Social Clubs Committee. and Juliette sub-committees, we've tried to same place (the Union Dining One of the reason for this unravel them, look at their ori- Hall) for over 70 years. change was to enable the gins and how they've evolved Some clubs no longer exist Athletics Club Committee to Decock look since their formation. in their original form but have award colours while the Social Imperial College Union was born in the autumn term of 1911 with Sir Arthur Acland as at how the its father. The idea was to pro- vide the students from the three constituent colleges (City & clubs and Guilds, Royal College Of Science and Royal School Of Mines) with a club based along the lines of the unions at societies of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The main objectives of the Imperial clubs of Imperial College Union were to unite more closely the students from the constituent colleges and to help secure a College reputation for Imperial College parallel to the standard of the academic one. Union have The ten years following the split and given rise to various Clubs Committee could not. creation of the Union saw the daughter clubs. This is the case (Colours are awards for ser- appearance of approximately a of the Literary & Debating vices beyond the call of duty to dozen clubs which still remain Society which has split into the a particular body of people changed today. These include traditional Arts Appreciation Society and within the Union.) This reason sporting clubs such as the the Debating Society. The was soon forgotten as all com- Association Football Club, Musical & Dramatic Society mittees now award colours. since 1911. Lawn Tennis Club and the Boat has given rise to a number of As the number of clubs with- Club which started just after the clubs. Amongst these are the in the Union increased, the First World War. Other sporting Dramatic Society, Choir, Recreational Clubs Committee clubs that existed in the twen- Symphony Orchestra and the separated from the Social Clubs ties are the Golf Association, Jazz and Rock Club. The latter Committee.

— 10 — Felix 1000th Edition

An artist's impression of the Imperial College Union Building in the 1930s.

Throughout the years more ning to have within the Union. Social changes also led to academic year there were 122 clubs started, reflecting the In the past 15 years Imperial new societies like the PATA (or Union clubs and societies listed broadening interests of the College has seen a considerable Pro-life) Society, United in the Imperial College Union students. These included the number of changes among the Nations Society, Third World Handbook. Bearing in mind that Gliding Club (1930), Sailing style of its clubs. The 'traditional First Society, CND Society there are also numerous clubs Club (1949), Billiards Club, clubs' still exist, but the main (which stopped in the early within each of the four Film Society, Jewish Society changes have occurred in the nineties) and the Vegetarian Constituent College Unions, it (1951) and the Underwater Club recreational and social clubs. Society (VegSoc). It is looks as though Imperial (1957). The Tiddlywinks Society rumoured that VegSoc ceased to College students are not as The seventies saw a boost in disappeared at the end of the meet after a group of people apathetic as some people claim. the formation of clubs. This seventies. The practice of this became members and held a The Constituent College gave rise to the formation of the 'sport' is now restricted to the barbecue on behalf of the society Union societies tend to have a Social & Cultural Amusement length of Oxford Street on the in Beit Quad! more academic nature. Some of Board in 1973 which grouped second Saturday of the autumn New sports societies include these were originally Imperial together all the 'performing' term - one of Rag's most popu- the Parachute Club, the Fitness College Union societies which clubs. Soon to follow was the lar events. Club and the Wing Chun Club. reformed under a Constituent Publications Board in 1976 due The Croquet Club, which On the other hand, the eighties College Union. This is the case to the increasing interest in used to play on Queen's Lawn, saw the end of some of the old with the Astronomical Society media clubs. After Felix, which only existed during the seventies. societies like the Astronomical which is now a Royal College began in 1949, S.T.O.I.C (the 1975 saw the beginning of the Society, Railway Club and the Of Science society. Student Television Of Imperial Pimlico Connection Society. It Transcendental Meditation Currently Imperial College College) started in 1969. I.C. is within Imperial College that Society (which reformed at the Union spends more money per Radio was formed at about the the scheme itself was formed start of this year). The Graffiti student on its clubs and societies same time, but they only got a and it has now spread to many Club and HG Wells Society than any other University's licence to broadcast on medium other universities around the lasted slightly longer but both Union in Britain. What the wave in December 1978. country. 1976 saw the beginning died out in the late eighties. future holds for all the societies The last committee to emerge of completely different type of New born clubs included within Imperial College Union was the Overseas Students club: the Wargame Society. Splot Soc (a paintballing is dependant on the funding that Committee, at the beginning of In the eighties, the advance in society), the Computer Graphic can be allocated as well as the the eighties. This reflected the technology led to the emergence Society and the Science & motivation, interests and enthu- growth and importance that of the Micro-computer and Ethics Society. siasm its students. Overseas societies were begin- Science Fiction Societies. At the beginning of this

— 11 — Felix 1000th Edition Felix 1000th Edition

Dannoir William Penney has been called the 'father of the British Bomb'. A student and an assistant How The Huxley Building Got Its ML Cll J.J.C y professor at Imperial Colleg before the Second World War, he was one of the few British scien- tists who were sent to Los Alamos to work on the Manhattan Project. He saw the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki and it was the power displayed there which led him to understand that Britain needed a deter- rent, too. However, the release of recent papers has somewhat dented Penney's reputation as it appears that he fabri- Name ... And Other Stories cated the first tests of the British hydrogen bomb in order to prove the project was progressing. As the Chairman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, he also headed the inquiry into the 1957 Windscale radia- tion leak. On becoming Rector in 1967, there was some concern Air Chief Marshal Sir Henry Bessemer expressed within the College about his suitability for the role as an Beit Roderic Hill Roderic Hill first came to Bessemer was a one-time internal appointment was thought to be better. Yet Penney had the prominence during the student at the last word. After retiring in 1973 he described the job as being a The relationship between First World War as a flying officer. In the period between the College of Chemistry which was one of the dead-end: "There is nowhere to go and at the end of it you are the Beit family and wars, he flew experimental flights into such subjects as wing precursors of the Royal College of Science. dead." Imperial College goes 'flutter' and radio controlled aircraft. He became Rector in 1948 After his death a memorial fund was set up in back to the early years until his death in 1954. During that time, he sought to broaden the 1903 in his honour. This raised £15,000 for Lord Weeks was the of the century when College's focus, introducing lunchtime General Studies and a the building of a metallurgical college which Weeks Chairman of Vickers Ltd Alfred Beit of Wernher, weekly Touchstone discussion session. became part of the Royal School of Mines. from 1949-56. As part of Beit & Company gave their corporate plan to advance technical edu- the College a total of cation, Vickers gave Imperial College £244,000 from the firm and his private Imperial Colfeg £150,000 to build a hall of residence which fortune. Beit had become extremely wealthy was opened in 1959. through the South African diamond trade and had already given money for academic Usfuvessity of Lorata purposes in Johannesburg and Hamburg. After Patrick Linstead Alfred's death in 1906, his brother, Otto Linstead was a chemistry (pictured above), succeeded the estate and student at Imperial continued to support Imperial College. He was College who became a member of staff, gain- knighted in 1924 and a memorial plaque was ing an international reputation in organic unveiled in Beit Arch after his death in 1930. chemistry. After various academic appoint- ments, he worked at the Ministry of Supply during the war, returning as Head of Chemistry in 1949 and becoming Rector in 1955. Blackett One of his most troublesome moments was caused by his support for the proposed demoli- Patrick Blackett began tion of the Imperial Institute. This resulted in a huge public outcry his academic career which eventually saved Queen's Tower. He also oversaw the redevel- studying physics at opment of the halls of residence in Princes Gardens. The establish- Cambridge with Lord ment of both the Haldane and Lyon Playfair libraries and the expan- Rutherford. During the sion of the Harrington Sports Ground displayed his concern for the war he worked with wider issues of university life. Tizard applying Operational Research to such aspects of war as anti-submarine activity and Henry Thomas Tizard strategic bombing. Controversially he argued Tizard was described as "prob- that the atomic bombs had been dropped for ably the best scientist in political not military reasons and he was government service" during the 1940s and cer- viewed as a voice of conscience within the tainly he was highly influential in the scientif- scientific community. He became a Professor ic progression of both wars. of Physics at Imperial College in 1953 and He flew in the Royal Flying Corps testing Pro-Rector from 1961-64, receiving a life aircraft and bomb sights during the First peerage in 1969. Richard Haldane was the prime World War. Afterwards, he worked on aero Haldane mover behind the Charter of After training engine fuels before becoming College Rector in 1929. In the same Incorporation of the Imperial College Sherfield lawyer, Sir Roger year he was also made Secretary of the Department of Scientific Huxley of Science and Technology of 1907. Always interested in educa- Makins joined the and Industrial Research. tion, it was mainly because of Haldane's encouragement that Foreign Office. He was sent to the American In his additional capacity as Chairman of the Committee for the Thomas Henry Huxley Imperial College became a part of the University of London. Embassy in 1945 and was involved with the transfer Scientific Survey of Air Defence, he encouraged the development was one of the big Haldane studied philosophy and wrote a book on the implica- of atomic secrets between Britain and America. In of radar. During the war he worked with Blackett in Operational figures in Victorian tions of relativity. As a liberal M.P., he served as Secretary of 1953 he was sent back to Washington, this time for a Research and was involved with the development of the 'bouncing science. After five War and Lord Chancellor, before being forced out of public life three year period as Ambassador. bomb', Whittle's jet engine and the transfer of technical informa- years spent as a Naval in 1915 because of his close ties with Germany . He became the chairman of the UK Atomic Energy tion from America. He stepped down as Rector in 1959 to become surgeon, he returned Authority between 1959 and 1963 and it was during President of Magdalen College, Oxford. to England and was Lyon Playfair started this period that he was appointed the Chairman of the elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In Lyon Playfair life as a chemist Governors of Imperial College. ~¥7~£±g^gx\\ Sir Alfred Keogh was the second Rector of 1881, he became the first Dean of what was employed at the After being made Lord Sherfield in 1963, his com- Imperial College, from 1910 to 1922. An then called the Normal School of Science JVeOilfl Museum of Economic Geology, which was a forebear of the petence in the area of science policy was recognised organiser and administrator of the first rank, and the Royal School of Mines. Best known Royal School of Mines. He was a member of many Royal by another appointment, this time as Chairman of the Keogh was an army medic. As Director General of Army Medical for his robust defence of Darwinian Commissions studying such subjects as the Buckingham Lords' Select Committee on Science and Technology. Services, he totally overhauled military medical organisation and Evolution, he gained the nickname, Palace drains, the Irish potato blight and the 1848149 Cholera The Committee's final report suggested that a training prior to the First World War. In 1914 he was recalled to his 'Darwin's Bulldog' and played a major role outbreak. Playfair became an influential figure in the promo- cabinet post should be created for Science and old medical post by the direct intervention of Kitchener and only in the popular acceptance of the theory. tion of widespread scientific education. Technology, but Margaret Thatcher was not one of returned as Rector at the end of hostilities. Sherfield's most successful audiences. — 12 — —13 — Felix 1000th Edition Felix 1000th Edition

The Imperial College Libraries recently merged with the Science Museum Library, providing a more extensive range of facilities. The library contains both fiction and non-fiction books as well as a selection of music cassettes and CDs. Amenities elsewhere on the campus include a bookstore and a travel agent used by both the students and staff.

—15 — Felix 1000th Edition Felix 1000th Edition

After lunch at one of the many snack bars or cafeterias on campus, there is much available to the students to occupy their free time. The student radio station broadcasts 24 hours a day to the campus. On a Wednesday afternoon many students make use of the range of outdoor facilities at the Harlington Sports Ground near Heathrow. Felix 1000th Edition

Many students remain on campus for lectures or practical work. Others go to the library or back to their rooms to study. Should any problems arise at any time during the day or night the Imperial College Security staff are always around to assist.

Felix 1000th Edition A Brief History Of Imperial College

With the prospect of Albertopolis departments, however, originated The Origin Of The Imperial looming large over South elsewhere and gradually accu- Royal College Of Science Kensington, attention has been mulated at the South Kensington The Chemistry Department of focused on the area's architec- site between 1872 and 1891. the Royal College Of Science College is ture. You do not have to have traces its descent from another both eyes open to notice that The Origin Of The foundation. The College Of most of Imperial College sticks Royal School Of Mines Chemistry was founded in out like a sore thumb. But has it Imperial College has always October 1845 and from 87 years old always been such an eyesore? been a union of constituent col- December of that year, with Imperial College was offi- leges. The oldest, the Royal Queen Victoria's consent, it cially established by Royal School Of Mines, can be traced became known as the Royal this year. Charter in 1907 but its complex back to the Museum Of College Of Chemistry. It sought history can be traced back Economic Geology which new premises at 16 Hanover another half century. Complex opened in 1841 in a house in Square which had an impressive in that its birth was preceded by Craig's Court SW1, adjoining frontage on Oxford Street. Simon Shaw no fewer than ten name-changes the old Scotland Yard. From the and almost as many changes of outset, it enrolled a limited A Marriage Of Sorts premises. number of pupils but its teach- In 1853, the Royal College Of explains its The present site in South ing function expanded when it Chemistry became part of the Kensington is owned by the moved to Jermyn Street in 1851. Government School Of Mines Royal Commission For The There it offered courses in And Of Science Applied To The short but Great Exhibition Of 1851. It mining and applied sciences. At Arts in a bid to solve its finan- was purchased as part of Prince this new location, it was reopened cial problems. As a result, Albert's plan for the develop- as the Museum Of Practical students on the mining school ment of South Kensington as a Geology. Its founder, Henry De course found themselves sharing complex centre for education in art and La Beche, went on to establish the laboratories at Hanover science. the Government School Of Square with chemistry students. The Prince was also chiefly Mines And Of Science Applied It was hoped that the School To The Arts later in that year. history. responsible for the three national would broaden its educational This new school was staffed by museums (the Science Museum, scope and in the same year yet a group of eminent scientists Natural History Museum and another name change was insti- and held courses relating to all Victoria & Albert Museum) gated. It was now to be known Below: The proposed Union theoretical and practical areas of being situated in such close as the Metropolitan School Of Building. Today it forms the mining and geology. vicinity. Most of the College's Science Applied To Mining And north side of Beit Quad.

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— 20 — Felix 1000th Edition

The Arts to indicate that it was Technical College which to become the metropolitan opened in 1883. The Institute's centre of a whole group of insti- chief aim was realised when it tutions for practical science to founded the Central Technical be established throughout the College Of The London Institute country. on Exhibition Road in 1884. J,':: In 1863, the Government The College's function gradually School Of Mines was renamed narrowed to the teaching of the Royal School Of Mines in an engineering and in 1873 its title attempt to re-establish its own was changed to the City & identity amidst the merging Guilds College. faculties. However, following a report on scientific instruction Imperial College by a Select Committee to the So, by the turn of the century House of Commons, a Royal there existed on the South Commission was set up in 1870 Kensington site, three separate to investigate the education and colleges covering between them advancement of science. This the whole field of pure and Commission recommended that applied science. Inevitably, };' the Royal School Of Mines be through overlapping subjects, 111 ' ' fflPlf moved to South Kensington, the three institutions worked t§!>l \ where it would be consolidated closely together and on 8th July with the Royal College Of 1907, Imperial College Of Chemistry. Science and Technology was Imperial College Road) was Above: On the new site, laboratories established by Royal Charter. intended as a museum and Museum of Practical Geology, City & Guilds College took a were provided for practical exhibition centre dealing with Jermyn Street. instruction in physics and biology little longer to be incorporated Indian and other colonial affairs, (hitherto entirely lacking); a into Imperial College, but by encouraging emigration and Chair of Mathematics was 1910 all three were linked and, expanding trade. established and the School was as a whole, were established as Since it was true to Prince to be made available for the a School of the University Of Albert's aspirations for the London. instruction of science teachers. South Kensington site, the The South Kensington site Institute was advocated by was chosen because the The Imperial Institute Queen Victoria. The architect Government had acquired To commemorate Queen T.E. Coflcutt designed a grand twelve acres of land there, from Victoria's Jubilee, the Prince of series of neo-renaissance build- the Commissioners of the 1851 Wales (later King Edward VII) ings stretching over 200 metres Exhibition, for use by the had proposed the Imperial and bridging three towers. It Science and Art Department. At Institute in the summer of 1886. was built on the site of the for- Below: City & Guilds College the time, the site was a waste- The Imperial Institute (stretch- mer gardens of the Royal on Exhibition Road. It was land of sheds and temporary ing the length of what is now Horticultural Society. The central demolished in the early sixties. buildings except for one build- ing of curious design on Exhibition Road. It was said to have been erected for the Royal School Of Naval Architecture, but the School chose alternative premises at Greenwich in 1873. In any case, the building (known then as the Huxley Building) was quickly occupied by depart- ments of the Royal College of Science. By moving into larger premises, it was possible for the departments to expand. This had not been possible at Jermyn Street and Hanover Square.

City & Guilds College In 1878, the City & Guilds Of London Institute For The Advancement Of Technical Education was created. In the following year, classes in chem- istry and physics were instituted at temporary quarters in Cowper Street School, Finsbury. From this grew the Finsbury

— 21 — Felix 1000th Edition

tower, Queen's Tower, was 87 Collcutt's Tower) was left premises. The Huxley Building metres tall, had a copper dome standing, requiring substantial on Exhibition Road was aban- and held a peal of ten bells reinforcements to keep it erect. doned and a 'new' Huxley donated by a Mrs Millar from The Imperial Institute, meanwhile, Building was erected in 1975 on Melbourne. At the time it was became the Commonwealth Queen's Gate. The old building built, it was one of the tallest Institute and moved to Holland is now the Henry Cole Wing of buildings in London. Park in 1962. the Victoria & Albert Museum. The Imperial Institute opened Referring to the changes to on 10th May 1893 but gradually The Expansion Programme Beit Quad, issue 79 of Felix lost significance as an icon of It was the aforementioned reported that "Beit Quadrangle the British Empire in the 20th expansion program which has will be laid out as a semi-formal Century. However, its proposed moulded the College into what garden with grass lawns and demolition as part of Imperial we see today. Imperial College York stone paths and some cen- College's expansion programme was accepting more and more tral feature which may be a (1957-65) provoked opposition students and was hungry for fountain. The tennis club have from the general public. extra space. Comment in issue received extra courts at Harling- A letter to The Times in 87 of Felix stated that if the ton as compensation for the loss February 1956 began: "It is no opponents to the expansion of its old courts on this site." crime, in itself, to replace an old scheme "went behind this The picture of today's building by a new one. It facade that faces the Royal Imperial College is completed becomes a crime only when a College Of Science they would by the addition of St Mary's good old building is replaced by realise that the fire hazard in the Hospital Medical School. St Below: Aerial shot of Imperial a bad new one." draughty wooden corridors and Mary's Hospital was founded at the galvanised tin roof makes a College in the 1950s before the It went on to explain the Paddington and enrolled its first mockery of the wedding cake massive expansion programme. dilemma: "If the Imperial two students in 1851. The College is to play, in London, frontage." Medical School, founded in 1854, Below opposite: Imperial the role chosen for it as a great Few original buildings now became part of the University College in 1970 when most of scientific and technological remain in their entirety: the City Of London in 1900. In 1988 it the construction had centre, the area now occupied & Guilds College was demol- merged with Imperial College adding another discipline to the been completed. by the Imperial Institute and its ished, the Chemistry Department adjacent buildings will be was rebuilt and nearly all depart- College's name which became Imperial College Of Science, (Photos provided courtesy of required." As a compromise, the ments other than the Royal Technology And Medicine. Hunting Aerofilms.) Queen's Tower (then known as School Of Mines were given new

The Imperial Institute1 is clearly visible in the centre of the photograph. Across Imperial Institute Road (now Imperial College Road) are the Chemistry and Physics Departments2 of the Royal College of Science. Perhaps the only recognisable College buildings are those in Beit Quad3. The Union Building4, however, has yet to receive its two uppermost floors. The former Huxley Building5 is just visible opposite the Science Museum and the City & Guilds College6 stills stands on Exhibition Road. Felix 1000th Edition

The College also owns various properties outside cen- tral London. Silwood Park near Ascot was acquired in 1947 and a Field Station was established there. The Royal School Of Mines has owned the Tywarnhale Tin Mine in Cornwall since 1909. Imperial College also has an affiliated project in South Wales. Imperial Pare began develop- ment in Newport in 1991. It is a science park dedicated to research and development and has strong links with industry. The next substantial develop- ment affecting Imperial College could be Albertopolis. Although plans are still sketchy and attracting a healthy amount of criticism, some redevelopment looks inevitable. The College has recently been described as an eyesore in the South Kensington area by a writer for a national newspaper. Perhaps today's administrators realise that the appearance of the College can be as crucial as its Above: Students at the Solar Observatory on the grounds of the future Science Museum. In the back- research papers in the interest of ground is the old Huxley Building, now the Henry Cole Wing of the Victoria and Albert Museum. self-promotion. Picture circa 1893.

A solitary Queen's Tower remains after the expansion program. The City & Guilds College has been replaced by the Mechanical Engineering Department1. The Southside Halls2 and the Sports Centre3 have been built, as well as the Civil Engineering4, Electrical Engineering5, Chemical Engineering6, Sherfield7, Chemistry8, Blackett9 and Roderic Hill10 Buildings. Some space has been cleared for the new Huxley Building11 on Queen's Gate and the Union Building now has two extra floors.

— 23 Felix 1000th Edition Changing Careers Of Graduates

When Felix was in its early The recession in the early 80s experienced lower rates of years, fewer than 5% of 18 year accelerated the move to unemployment than men. olds went to University; this commerce with the result that, figure is now approaching 30%. since 1972, the percentage of Other significant changes over graduates entering commerce Teacher Training the last 40 years include the has increased from 17% to 32%. In the mid 70s teacher training increase in the number of In the same period, those enter- was still popular, but the actual female, overseas and mature ing industry fell from 32% to numbers choosing this option students, the increase in the 23%. Public service also fell steadily from 5,946 in 1977 number of graduates under- suffered a decline but education to 2,355 at the height of the Director of taking postgraduate and remained reasonably stable. The yuppie boom in 1989. They research courses and an increase box below illustrates the trends have only crept up to 3,789 in in the number of students from at the start of each decade for 1992. One can understand the the Careers ethnic minorities. the last thirty years. concern of the Government as The destinations of graduates they try to persuade more scien- has also changed with the move tists to take up teaching. One towards commerce and away Unemployment incentive they are operating is Service, John from industry. There has also the award of bursaries in been a decline in both opportu- Home first degree graduates subjects with a shortage of nities and interest in teaching believed unemployed at 31st students. Simpson, and the public service. December: 07„ Unemployment has fluctuated 10 over the last 40 years, reaching 1976-77 5.9 Further Academic Study peaks in the early years of each 1981-82 13.5 Those following further acade- writes about decade. 1986-87 6.2 mic study in the UK totalled 1991-92 11.6 6,229 in 1977 and remained stable until 1990 when the total how the The Decline of Employment in A feature of the 50s and 60s was reached 7,223. By 1992 the Industry very low graduate unemploy- numbers had increased sharply In the 50s and 60s, graduates in ment, with figures of less than to 10,287. engineering and science began 5%. We consider unemployment This is partly a reflection of destinations in careers related to their degree to be bad in the early 90s, but a the difficult job market, but it is subjects. All this started to glance at the figures above also a recognition that a post- change in the early 70s. With shows the extent that unemploy- graduate qualification can be a industry suffering from the ment has fluctuated since the help in starting some careers. of Imperial recession, accountants realised mid 70s. Unemployment rates for post- that there were graduates One interesting fact is that graduates have been lower than College looking for alternative careers. women have consistently the rates for graduates. graduates Employer Categories of Male and Female First Degree Graduates Entering Home Employment has changed. {Old Universities) 1971-72 1981-82 1991-92 Total Entering Home Employment 20,798 29,008 28,796

Public Service 6,845 (33%) 7,839 (27%) 7,527 (26%)

Education 1,665 (8%) 1,538 (5%) 2,034 (7%)

Industry 6,637 (32%) 8,676 (30%) 6,487 (23%)

Commerce 3,494 (17%) 8,538 (29%) 9,300 (32%)

— 24 — Felix 1000th Edition

Imperial College degree graduates recorded only expect their staff to keep up to Imperial College experience has 3% unemployed, 19% went on date. You will also want to mirrored much of what has been to further higher degrees and develop personal and interper- going on in other Universities, 58% gained permanent employ- sonal skills to enable you to but it has also reflected the ment in the UK. Types of perform effectively in different uniqueness of Imperial College employment included 11 % in organisations and when working and of London. the public service, 17% in on your own. In the 50s and 60s, Imperial education, 53% in industry and In the fifties and sixties, College was a very male domi- 4% in commerce. students found jobs in their nated institution. This is not surprising when statistics show §81111 that nationally only 37 women graduated with an engineering degree in 1962 compared with 2,539 men. The numbers of women at Imperial College have increased significantly since then to the present total of 26%. London has always attracted large numbers of overseas students and Imperial College has certainly benefited from this, especially in respect of postgraduates. Similarly, large numbers of ethnic minority students wish to study in London and many choose to come to Imperial College. Imperial College has not attracted large numbers of mature students. The reasons for this are debatable, but probably reflect the high entry standards demanded for all the courses. Employers from industry have targeted Imperial College for many years for the high quality of our technical gradu- ates. Accountants and other City employers soon recognised that Imperial College graduates had the skills needed in the financial services industry. As a result, about 20% of Imperial College first degree graduates entering UK employment went into this line of work. The high reputation of our research has encouraged above average numbers of Imperial College graduates to stay on to do research.

1993 Destinations Future Careers chosen fields without much help We know the destinations of Today's graduates will experi- from the then embryonic over 90% of Imperial College ence many changes in their Imperial College Careers home first degree graduates who careers. You cannot expect to Service. graduated in 1993. At 31st join an employer and have a Nowadays, students use the December, under 11% were secure career for the rest of your Careers Service to assist them unemployed, 38% went on to do working life. You must equip with their choice of careers and higher degrees and 33% gained yourself with the skills to their search for jobs both before permanent employment in the change and to develop through- and after they graduate. UK. The major destinations of out your career, both technically If you find yourself between those gaining permanent and personally. jobs in a few years time you are employment included 9% in the Continuing professional welcome to make use of the public service, 51% in industry development is recognised by Careers Service at any time. It is and 34% in commerce. the professions as crucial to located in room 310 of the Imperial College home higher their members. Employers Sherfield Building.

— 25 — Felix 1000th Edition A Week In The Life Of... Felix

Felix comes out every Friday during term time. An elected sabbatical officer edits the magazine. Its pro- duction, however, is still dependant on help from the student sub-editors and contributors. In the space of a week Felix has to be planned, written and printed. Friday is the deadline for articles although con- tributors frequently operate their own timetables. Sub-editors begin to arrange previews of films, plays, books and music all of which form an integral part of the paper. Articles are written and reviews are typed in on Monday and Tuesday. Sub-editors lay out their pages and decide on the photographs they will need. The pages are then proofed and corrected. A dedicat- ed group of photographers take, develop and print many of the photos in our own darkroom.

Articles are written and reviews are typed in on Monday and Tuesday.

Photographers take, develop and print many of the photos in our own darkroom. Sub-editors decide on the photographs.

— 26 — Felix 1000th Edition

The chosen photographs are bromided.

Felix is printed in the Imperial College Union Print Unit.

The chosen photographs are bromided, a process that transforms a photograph into dots so that it can be printed. The pages are then stuck down onto paste-up sheets. The photos are positioned and then cut to size. Felix is printed by the Imperial College Union Print Unit. Printing begins on Tuesday and carries through to Thursday afternoon. Once printing has finished, a group of students use the collating machine to staple and fold 4,000 copies of Felix. This takes most of Thursday evening. Finally, either late on Thursday evening or early on Friday morning all the copies of Felix are distributed to the departments around the College. The pages are then stuck down onto paste-up sheets and the photos are positioned and cut to size.

t

Students use the collating machine to staple and fold 4,000 copies. Finally, all the copies of Felix are distributed.

— 27 — Felix 1000th Edition A Glimpse Into The Future

"Come in, come in, don't be I'm not sure what I'll do," said Life Becoming Hard A medical shy. You want your future told, one student; a sentiment echoed Examples of the interaction don't you?" by many in their final year. between the life and hard The room stank of cats and But what about the future of sciences range from biocompat- camphor. Shadows wreathed the the College itself, what predic- ibility - the engineering of super-school, fortune-teller as she took my tions can we make about that? artificial organs to avoid tissue palm and traced the lines there. Who better to ask than the rejection - to the use of infor- "It's a time of great change Rector of Imperial College, Sir mation technology by doctors. for you," she crooned. No great Ronald Oxburgh. He believes Genetic engineering is another learning by surprise, considering I'd just that the College must "stay aca- important example. graduated from university. But demically nimble so that we Current plans for a new then I was never very can exploit the shifts and Biomedical Centre would impressed by any 'predic changes in science and provide a focus for such inter- computer and tions' of the future. technology as they disciplinary research at the Fortune-telling come along and College. Sir Ronald explains horoscopes an at the that negotiations are under weather front." way with a number of other Albertopolis. forecasts institutions, such as the National all have Heart & Lung Institute, with a one view to them becoming part of Imperial College. Also currently under discussion is the pro- posed merger between St Mary's and

V Charing Cross & Westminster e d i c a 1 Joe Schools. This would mean that medical students would receive their pre- McFadden clinical training in the new thing "- Biomedical Centre. This in com- would produce doctors with a mon: they "peculiarly Imperial flavour," investigates never get it according to Sir Ronald. The right. The future new building would fill the gap only reveals its Sir between the old and new chem- secrets one second at a r Ronald istry buildings. Assuming the the future of time. in jgff points to required funding is obtained, Which leaves an interesting interdisciplinary research such medical students may arrive at problem when writing about the as biomedical science, environ- the South Kensington site future of Imperial College. mental science and information before the end of the century. Imperial Some predictions are safe technology as essential areas for enough. For example, the Imperial College if it is to stay Learner Drivers on the Data thousands who graduate from at the cutting edge. Highway Imperial College every year will He foresees chemistry, Stronger links for departments College. mostly follow well-worn paths. physics and engineering as hav- involved in environmental Some go to jobs, some stay on ing important applications in research at the College along for PhDs, while others will biomedical research. In effect, with greater attention to infor- leave with little or no idea of the life sciences will become mation technology are also pri- Above: Will South Kensington what to do next: "I'll go home, I increasingly shaped by the orities for the future. look like this in the twenty- expect and try to get some temp 'hard' sciences. Information technology could first century? job to clear my debts. After that, have a profound effect on

— 28 — Felix 1000th Edition

College life, particularly to site to meet the demands of the to give the College a social methods of studying. Sir Ronald next century. focus. More green areas would predicts that "within five years It quickly became apparent be created and car-parking if we could afford it, or maybe a that the aims of individual insti- would be relocated from What The Students little bit longer, I'd expect the tutions could benefit from a Imperial College Road. whole College to be on a fibre- joint development of the sur- Meanwhile, a new building Think About optic net, with outlets in all rounding area. The idea of would be built on top of the cur- Albertopolis College premises and in student Albertopolis emerged naturally rent mechanical engineering residence rooms. People could from these discussions. building. Professor John Archer, simply take their Pro-Rector of "They should change the laptop, plug in, Imperial College name!" get the week's describes the problems, do new building as them, then trans- "a shop window "Well, they can't make mit them back. for what we do at Mech Eng look any worse." Maybe examina- Imperial, provid- tions will be ing facilities for "I'm not going to be here, done that way." lectures and so I don't care." Lectures and exhibitions. I conventional would hope that libraries will still it would allow "It might make South have their place, the public to get Kensington more expen- however. a better under- sive for students." standing of the Alien Science science going on "I'd rather they spent the For Sir Ronald, at the College." money on better student encouraging Exhibitions accommodation." interdisciplinary focussing on the research efforts future by the at the College is Royal College Of the most impor- Art would also tant thing he be displayed. could achieve The Albertopolis plans include a remodelled Queen's Lawn with According to while Rector: the Queen's Tower surrounded by a reflecting pool. Professor Archer, The Year Ahead "For the future the Albertopolis At Imperial College vigour of the College, we are Designs on the Future project means that "the site going to have to move into Sir Norman Foster and Partners could be restored to some of its interdisciplinary areas. We've were the architects chosen to former splendour as a centre for "We're negotiating a big done that effectively in some produce a plan for the area. science and the arts." areas but not in others." Their proposed solution would Albertopolis will be expen- expansion of Union facili- He adds that the divisions provide better public access and sive, so the future of the project ties at present, with the between subjects are as much a amenities. It would unify the depends on money from the first priority being a sec- matter of historical accident as institutions physically and allow Millennium Fund. This is being ond-hand bookshop." logic. "If an alien being arrived them to interact more easily set up from proceeds from the Lucy Chothia, next year's on the earth tomorrow, looked with one another. National Lottery. The Fund is Union President at the sum of human scientific The project name - a work- intended to finance a range of and technological knowledge projects to commemorate the ing title - is a tribute to Prince "Accommodation at the and was then asked to divide it Albert, whose original vision next century. moment is variable...it into convenient chunks for led to the South Kensington we Ian Caldwell, Imperial doesn't really seem what teaching and administration, it's see today. College Estates Manager, thinks not clear that the subjects of In the twenty-first century, an that the Albertopolis bid has tomorrow's scientists physics, chemistry and biology Imperial College student would unique advantages: "It's more should be living in while would emerge," he explains. arrive at South Kensington large scale than the others...it is, students and that's a high As the future role of Imperial underground station to be greet- in a sense, a regeneration pro- priority for me." College as a university takes ed by the Millennium Mall - an ject and has the extra economic Dan Look, next year's shape, the face we show to the underground street running the benefit of helping science, tech- Deputy President (Finance outside world may soon be length of Exhibition Road. It nology and medicine." & Services) altered dramatically. A scheme would provide direct access to Some have made grand to revitalise South Kensington the three museums and the other claims for the Albertopolis "My main aim next year is as a centre for science and arts Albertopolis services, including scheme: "This could become a in the next millennium was information centres, ticket model for the rest of London," to get more sponsorship for announced earlier this year, offices and shops. says Spencer de Grey, who clubs and societies." under the title of 'Albertopolis'. leads the design team. Ian Parish, next year's The proposal is the result of A Facelift for Imperial College Sir Ronald Oxburgh is more Deputy President (Clubs & two years of discussions Most important for Imperial cautious: "I don't see that great Societies) between Imperial College and College are the plans to remodel or profound an effect, but it other institutions in the area. its unattractive fagade. The would make Imperial a far more The challenge was how to main change would be improve- attractive place to study." improve the South Kensington ments to the Queen's Lawn area

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Credits

That Was The World That Was Written and researched by Mike Ingram and Lynn Bravey Information obtained from past issues of Felix

A Brief History Of Imperial College Written and researched by Simon Shaw With thanks to Anne Barrett, IC Archivist, for photographs and information Aerial photographs courtesy of Hunting Aerofilms

A Day In The Life Of Imperial College Photographs taken by Steven Newhouse and Richard Eyers

How The Huxley Building Got Its Name...And Other Stories Written, researched and drawn by Jon Jordan

Looking Back Over 80 Years Of Clubs And Societies Written and researched by Juliette Decock and Wei Lee Information obtained from past issues of Felix, Phoenix and the ICU Handbook

Changing Careers Of Graduates Written by John Simpson, Director of the Imperial College Careers Service

A Week In The Life Of Felix Photographs taken by Steven Newhouse and Richard Eyers

A Glimpse Into The Future Written and researched by Joe McFadden Photograph by Richard Eyers Sketch courtesy of Sir Norman Foster and Partners

Felix Icons From The Past Artwork prepared by Rebecca Land

Cover photograph taken by Richard Eyers

— 30 — 1984/85 1979/80 1962/63

1988/89 1949/50 1991/92 mm mm Editor: Rebecca Land. Business Managers: Steven Newhouse and Simon Govier. hm mm I This issue of Felix was produced for and on behalf of Imperial College Union Publications Board. Copyright Felix 1994. ISSN No: 1040-0711 mm mm I M^L. All finishing and printing except the cover by Imperial College Union Print Unit, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. (Tel: 071 225 8672 MStudertN.ynpweroiimiwri.1 coitas. Cover printed by Stabur Graphics Ltd, PO Box 1124, South Kensington, London SW7 2XS. (Tel: 081 871 2005)

Fetbc

Issue 1000 27th May 1994

Catastrophe On The Eve Of Felix's 1000th Edition

BY OUR NEWS STAFF normal Felix had been completed. in time to be distributed with the The printer, Andy Thompson, attempted Supplement. In order to explain the On the eve of the publication of Felix to repair the litho in order for the printing situation, this flyer was photocopied late 1000, disaster struck the Imperial College to continue but, despite his extensive on Thursday evening. Union Print Unit. The litho, which is used printing experience, he was forced to call It is hoped that the litho will be to print Felix every week, broke down at the maintenance engineer. functioning again in time for printing Felix around midday yesterday. The engineer was unable to assess the next week. Any articles submitted for today's issue will be carried forward to Felix 1000 was due to be produced in situation until early this morning and Mr next week. two parts: a normal Felix (containing Thompson was unsure, at the time of news, reviews, letters and articles) and a writing, if the litho was immediately The Felix staff would like to apologise special 1000th Edition Supplement. By the repairable. Even if it could be repaired for any inconvenience caused and hope time the litho broke down, the supplement within a couple of hours, this would still that you enjoy reading the Supplement. had been printed, but only a third of the be too late for Felix 1000 to be completed

Felix is produced for and on behalf of Imperial College Union Publications Board and is printed by the Imperial College Union Print Unit, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB (Tel: 071 225 8672). FELiX Editor: Rebecca Land, Business Managers: Simon Govier, Steven Newhouse. The Student Newspaper of Imperial College Copyright Felix 1 994. ISSN 1040-071 1