Bennett High School - Beacon Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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28 .The BEACON MODERN MAGIC How many of you, when you read the Arabian Nights, smiled at the ancient writer's flights of fancy? Yet, now, a thou- sand years later, we take for granted magic more amazing than that of any slave of Aladdin's wonderful lamp. We might, perhaps, call our modern magic, button magic, for at the touch of a button darkness flees and we have light, a second button, heat comes into our stove to cook our food 3 a third, and ice forms in the refrigerator to cool our food, a fourth, and we rise to the top of a tall building. So on without number. Suppose you are hungry, you tell a little box on your table that you want bread, and in a very few minutes a horseless car- riage stops at your door from which a boy hands you the bread- bread that has not been touched by human hands, but made, molded, baked, and wrapped by mechanical fingers. Where can one stop in speaking of radio, of talking through space, of modern surgery, new bodies for old, of anti-toxins and vaccines that wipe out the plagues that were the scourge of nations? Magic, every bit of it. The wonderful magic of what man's mind can do when he wills it to accomplish, and when he will not accept defeat. No wonder the slave of Aladdin's lamp has vanished from the earth. He is out-classed. -Lorraine R. Faber C2271 1929 THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL Football, one of the most popular athletic games in the world. is a very ancient form of exercise and amusement. As this is the football season, when everyone is out rooting for the home team, it might be interesting to know something concerning the origin of this sport. The Indians of North America and the inhabitants of many of the Pacific islands played a similar game, and it is possible that football was known in the days of barbaric Europe. The Greeks are believed to have taught it to the Romans, and the Britons and other northern races learned of the game through the Roman sol- diers when the latter invaded the northern countries. In Great Britain in the middle ages, football was played by whole communi- ties, who kicked the ball through the streets and meadows with such damage to homes and fields that in certain towns the game was forbidden. . It was in famous English schools like Rugby and Eton that football Iirst was made practical. The boys' playground at Rugby was large, so that there was plenty of room for running and tackling. At other schools even as late as 1850, the game was Contimacd on page 30

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The BEACONM 27 ages, each eagerly awaiting the thrill of an airplane fight. This proves the interest felt by Americans toward this comparatively new science. Being scheduled for the fourth flight of the afternoon, I had the interesting opportunity of observing the passengers as they entered and alighted from the planes. The greater number laughed delightedly and in fact, a few smiled so hard and so steadily that I was forced to believe that it was a ruse to conceal their imme- diate fears. One elderly lady, in particular, giggled when she entered the plane, laughed as it took off, and was convulsed with merriment when she alighted. The plane was a cabin type monoplane holding four passengers beside the pilot and was equipped with a Wright Whirlwind motor, at the present time the last word in aeronautical engineering. I entered the cozy little cabin and sat down in one of the surprisingly comfortable leather chairs. When everybody had entered and was seated the engine was started and the plane took off. The ship traveled along on the runway for a few hundred feet before it took to the air. Finally, without any sensation of ascent perceptible to the passengers, it rose and continued to rise until it had reached a height of approximately two thousand feet. As the day was exceptionally clear and bright, we had an excellent view. The houses, railroads and streams belows resembled those of a miniature electric train outfit. The plane rode particularly well and, except for occasional air pockets, was comparatively steady. To an amateur, however, these air pockets can be most annoying. When a ship strikes an air pocket, it immediately drops a few feet and then rises to its former level. Certainly these drops are none too pleasant, for they create a queer feeling in the pit of one's stomach, like that caused by the swift descent of an elevator. Although we were traveling at one hundred Eve miles per hour, there seemed to be no movement of the plane whatever, even though progressing at such a great rate. This was due to the fact that there was nothing close by with which to compare the speed of the ship. At last we began to descend in wide circles. As the ship neared the ground the pilot banked it more sharply at each turn. Finally, after tipping the plane until we thought that we would fall from it, the pilot landed, and the tail skid was heard grinding and rasp- ing in the ground behind us. If anyone ever has the opportunity to take a liight in an aeroplane, he should by all means do so. Aeroplane flying is tre- mendously different from any other form of travel and is, to my mind, equally enjoyable and satisfying. -Charles M. Pleuthner C2123 1930

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l 1' A PLEA FOR CANDIDATES When the grey skies and chill breezes speak of football, the entire school seems to cry in unison, Back that team! Likewise when drifted snow seems to shout of basketball and hockey, once more are we asked for support. Get out to see the games! We have heard it many times. It is such enthusiasm which wins games. But this enthusiasm, great though it is, is a poor apology for a different feeling, one that is kindred to all that is fine in sport. It is that more or less primitive instinct for achievement. Better than the enthusiasm that grows when the team is on the field is the desire to be on the field with that team. Bennett needs athletes for the future, and the future lies on the shoulders of those who are willing to undergo a tedious period of training. It is worthwhile! Not only get behind that team but be out with that team! -Adelbert Cronk 12223 1929 A NEW STUDENT'S IMPREBSION OF BENNETT Upon entering a new school one forms many opinions. These opinions may change, but as a rule the Grst impression lasts. Although I have attended four other schools, none impressed me as has Bennett. The building itself makes one proud to be enrolled as a student here. But there is something else that stands for more than the edifice. That is the spirit that prevails among the students. The creed, the songs and the cheers all seem to signify the good school spirit. One must admit, however, that these creeds mean little unless used in sincerity. Here at Bennett there is, nevertheless, behind these manifestations of loyalty, a zeal and genuineness that is outstanding and makes the spirit of Bennett High School a potent force, -Gordon F. Nichols 12249 1929