Pratt Institute - Prattonia Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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The Cannon Many a Pratt student has vented his emotions on the old Spanish can- non. Coat after thick coat of paint has covered its surface, with styles ranging from op art in the psy- chedelic sixties to a dull black in the strike-bound seventies. Until 1973, when a group of students got together and scraped, scrubbed, polished and buffed the weapon to its original brilliance. Once again, we saw the beauti- fully cut bands of ornament sur- rounding the barrel, and the curvy dolphins that form the handles. The cannon came to us in 1899 from the walls of Morro Cas- tle in Havana. In 1720, it was cast in Seville, bearing the arms of Philip V of Spain. The gun is of bronze with a five-and-one-half inch bore and it weighs some 4300 pounds. The cannon has stood as a symbol of the Institute. In fact, our athletic teams are named “The Cannoneers.” It remains today, as it has for 76 years, silently guarding the Pratt campus. The Gate Remember the first time you saw the gate? How it entranced you! You saw the gate with child-like attrac- tion and you felt compelled to record it. Maybe you had just purchased your first “decent” camera, or perhaps a fresh, unmarked news- print pad. You took the photo and printed it graphically high contrast, or scratched out the swirling lines on paper with rich charcoal. Perhaps you weren't artisti- cally inclined, but admired the eleg- ance and grace of this picturesque collection of curly-cues and twists. No one really knows any of its history, nor cares. Its allure is in its line and form— deep black spirals competing against the bright sky beyond. That’s the magic of the gate. For years, it has excited the imagi- nations of Pratt students. It will continue to do so as long as it stands. ne: reared 4 BG He 0

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The Fountain Long after all Pratt students have gone home. Long after the last rays of sunlight have hid from the center court, the fountain comes to life. I know. I saw it with my own eyes one night. Neptune started it all, spur- ring his seahorse steed with his tr- dent. Urged on by a triton sounding aconch shell, he galloped across the waves and only paused when Venus on the half shell winked at him. Meanwhile, on the other side, mayhem was breaking loose. Eros and Psyche were cavorting about, he on his dolphin, she fluttering about on her butterfly wings. And then, a chubby baby Bacchus, pluck- ing grapes sauntered through the scene, leaving a trail of grape pits behind. The dancing and kissing and merry-making went on for hours until many became sleepy. It wasn’t long before the eight lion-like faces were yawning in unison. Eros and Psyche and some nymphs and cherubs were still furiously dancing when sunlight began peeking over the building edges. Dawn had ar- rived. The figures of this old Re- naissance fountain froze in silence to stare once again into the gloomy daylight shadows of the center court, as the world of Pratt passed by. The Flagpole Since November 11, 1926, a flag- pole has watched over Library Park at Pratt. Designed by Willard Pad- dock, the pedestal is of a deep gray- green color, and includes four ex- pressive heads with upheld symbols, one for each of the four interests promoted by Pratt Institute: the pen and scroll of Literature, the hammer and square of Labor Skill, the searching glass and torch of Sci- ence, and the reflecting mirror and tools of Art. Masses of laurel leaves and four eagles, symbolizing patriotism, North, South, East, and West, com- plete the sculpted bronze. The pole itself was once painted a dull green to blend with the bronze and stone color. Around the base of the bronze are the simple words that explain the meaning of the flagpole: “To Commerate the services of the men and women of Pratt Institute in the World War, 1914-1918.”

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The Engine Room The greenish flourescent light you dined in the Pl shop by, the slide projector you took your first art his- tory test by, the elevator which saved you the walk up five floors in the Main Building: all these services used the electricity churned out from the power plant in the basement of East Hall. The power room is one of the oldest operating electrical plants on the East Coast. Pratt has been generating electric power in that room since 1887. The present equipment was installed in 1900. The three steam engine-driven generators are the oldest such units in New York City. They have been chugging away faithfully, day and night, to provide the people of Pratt Institute the electric power they have needed for working, teaching, and learning during the past 75 years. The Library Clock Time is not measured by the passing of the years, but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves. me a — EAS is Jawaharlal Nehru fi Vial ava? The Library Ship “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Sovereign of Ye Seas. Launched in 1637 by Charles I of England, it was one of the largest ships of its kind. Behind you rests a massive lantern high atop the stern. Note the huge red flag of England waving above. Now moving right along toward the bow of the ship, are stairs that will take us to the main deck. Watch your step please .. If you will move over to your left and lean over the railing, you can see examples of the ship’s magnificent carvings. Note the sunbursts and cupids and on the left is England’s national emblem.Up further you will see the signs of the zodiac and symbols of weapons and armor. Also note the elaborate detail of the cannons. Ahead is the main mast with its familiar crow’s nest. Ladies and gentlemen, as you follow me down these stairs, we will pass the lifeboat, handsomely deco- rated with a carved lion... We are now at the bow of the ship. On the forward prow is the mast head sculpture: an armored knight seated proudly upon a fanci- ful unicorn. That concludes our tour this afternoon. We hope you enjoyed yourself. Do come again.” Illustrations by Leland H. Neff and Miki