Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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TVl(Sc( ' L aNcG j.ST ft ucL 4 rur)(iy b l l The Tiger Ball and Mid- Winters formal also enter- tained men bored with daily routine. The Military Ball and Spring Hop enlivened one weekend, welcoming a new season while honoring cadet ' s military achievements. The Ring Dance with its giant, walk- through senior ring, gave students another big weekend. The high point in the year ' s social activities came right before commencement with the annual TAPS Junior-Senior. This formal weekend was the senior ' s last chance to enjoy college social life. The new yearbook provided the theme for the Ball, and books were distributed as part of the festivities. Dances disappeared in the late sixties as the stu- dent body became too large. The Central Dance Association, which had been responsible for social functions, turned in a new direction. Concerts be- came the new entertainment. Growth in fraternities and downtown establishments also brought in a new phase in social life. 19

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TAPS rwen .,0t ,9 3 7 TOPS »• ' ' TO 140NOP ' ' ' ■ ' 5tl BALL 1937 Formal and informal dances were the main social activities at Clemson from its very beginning. Cadets living in an entirely male world under military disci- pline eagerly awaited important weekends and thie arrival of thie girls. It was not uncommon for as many as 200 girls to be imported from women ' s colleges like Winthirop and Converse. Dates were a big factor as men anticipated thie moment of their arrival from the time they entered their name and their girls ' on a sign-up roster. The Rat Hop was the first important weekend of the semester, giving cadets a break from military routine and a chance to see their girls. The social events lasted all weekend. Friday was the night to go formal with Saturday featuring an informal dance. At the formal Rat Hop, the Rat Queen was selected from among the dates of the freshmen. The whole event was a good introduction to the year ' s social events. During the year, other dance weekends gave the cadets a chance to socialize. The Autumn Ball with it: Halloween and Man in the Moon decorations pro vided an exciting time in the middle of first semester 18

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EXPERIMENT ALPHA and OMEGA Performed: December 6, 1907 By: J. C. Littlejohr , W. W. Kirk, J. P. Lewis, W. M. Ros- borough and H. B. Riser under the directions of Prof. W. M. Riggs. Object: Test and operation of feminine hot air engine. Reference: Samuel Broadus Earle-from introduction to finis. Apparatus: Hammock, dark corner, moonlight night, op portunity. Method: Riser begins the experiment by placing the engine in a comfortable position, well boosted up with sofa pillows. He then opens the main valve of his poetical nature and finds that the eccentric swings forward through about 95° and cut-off occurs most unexpectedly. Riser retires with badly damaged feel- ings, and Rosborough decides to try a hand with this erotic piece of mechanism. Rosen begins by turning on the hot air, when the engine is on dead centre. He sees the dangerously high pressure in the cylinder; but with great bravado and soft caresses he gently be- gins to coax the fly wheel over. When things did begin to roll and the smoke cleared away, nothing could be found of the young gallant, but a pair of nose glasses. As the tensile strength of the material had not been determined. Bill Kirk , an expert engineer and tester of the tensile strength of feminine effections was called upon to secure this most important data. Encircling the jacket with his yard arms Bill attempts to obtain the necessary dimensions, thickness of material, etc., and finds things rather warm. However he proceeds to exert considerable pressure, and would have un- doubtedly succeeded had not the eccentric slipped, releasing the crank which flew off at a tangent and mutilated that unfortunate Lad ' s winning card, that wonderful museum occupying as it does a central position in the lower part of his physiognomy. After some coaxing from the performers the engine was once more put in good running condition, when that reckless spirit, John Little, appeared on the scene. He grasped the fly wheel with one hand, and placed the other around the jacket. Exerting infinite pressure in that direction, he placed his lips affectionately upon the admission valve. The engine stopped - back- fired and then exploded with indignation. Lewis ap- peared with accustomed wet blanket and put out the fire, in doing so however he threw a chill over the whole experiment. Log of results: Self acting, no gov- ernor used because of impossibility of finding one of sufficient durability, speed high, and surplus of pack- ing used. TAPS 1908 Less formal dress was characteristic of the Autumn Ball in 1941. Dance weekends featured two nights of fun with formal dress on Friday night and informal Saturday. Central Dance Association members and their sponsors were important fig- ures at Clemson dances. CDA was re- sponsible for all entertainment and booked top performers for every event. 20