Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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Lant 1351

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2 FOREWORD URING the ninth century A.D. in gracious England, Alfred the Great was trying to figure a systematic way by which to arrange his day. Alfred wished to give an exact division of time and while there were no clocks or watches in those days it was necessary to have some plan for keeping the time so that movements and operations in his large household might proceed without confusion. Alfred invented a plan. Alfred observed that the wax candles which were used in his castle burned very regularly. He ordered experiments to be made, and finally by means of them he determined on the size of the candles that would burn three inches in an hour. The candles were then made four feet long and each inch marked represented a third of an hour. However, some difficulties were encountered. The wind which blew through the palaces in those days, even in royal residences, blew at the flames of those horological candles causing an ir- regularity in the burning of the wax. This of course altered the burning time. Alfred devised a way to protect the candles which were to regulate his day. He ordered horn to be placed in hot water, a process which caused the horn to soften, with the result that it could be made very thin and fashioned into any shape. Alfred had thin plates of horn prepared, made a box with sides cut out, and set the horn in them within which the time-keeping candles could burn undisturbed. Con- sequently King Alfred has been given the credit for having invented what was then known as a Lanthorn. Alfred has shown his leadership in other ways. He repaired castles and towns, organized municipal governments and revised laws of the land. Yes, Alfred was the inventor, the educ ator, the reformer, the leader of the day. Just as Alfred was effective in bringing light to his darkened castle, so was he equally effective in bringing intellectual and moral light to a world of darkened minds. He sought to cultivate peace among peoples, social welfare and understanding. Though he did not achieve education for the masses, his efforts did result in the founding of the great Uni- versity of Oxford. The Lanthorn is an example of the work of this man and a reflection of his foresight and leadership. Our LANTHORN is representative of an institution that reflects similar ideals and aspirations. May the pages of this, our LANTHORN, reflect the achievements and characteristics of a student body who wishes to have the qualities that are characteristic of Alfred, the inventor of the LANTHORN.