Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 22 text:

ALTON LINCOLN SMITH “Dbigtoe” Professor of Draiving and Machine Design B. S., W. P. I., 1890, and M. S., 1899; Assistant in Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, W. P. I., 1890-91; Instructor in Mechanical Drawing, 1891-1900; Assistant Professor of Drawing and Machine Design. 1900-06; Professor, 1906- “Dingtoe” presides over the gatherings in the machine design room on the top floor of the M.E. building. He first taught us Kine¬ matics, and did a thorough job, though at times we did wish he wouldn’t stand right in front of the figures on the board, which he was explain¬ ing. When he noticed we were tiring of Kine¬ matics, “A. L.” would lecture for a time on philosophy or social ethics. These lectures were very welcome to the students, especially as they contained a good bit of humor. As seniors, we studied machine and crane design under Prof. Smith. We cannot forget our despair when he found a serious fault with the idea we were sure would bring us a fortune. But if the fault was there, “Dingtoe” would be sure to find it. JOSEPH OLIVER PHELON Joe ATQ TBH Professor of Electrical Engineering B. S., W. P. I., 1887, and B. S. (Electr ' cal Engineering), 1890; M. M. E., Cornell, 1901; Instructor in Physics, W. P. I., 1887-96; Electrical Engineering, 1896-1900; Fellow, Cornell Univ., 1900-01; Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, W. P. I., 1901-07; Professor, 1907- To “Joe” fell the task of starting us off on the road of Electrical Engineering. A Tech man himself, “Joe” realized just what we were up against when he turned us loose with those yellow papers, and lucky it is, for some of us, that he did. Seldom is this professor seen with¬ out a pleasant smile lighting up his face—in¬ deed sometimes the smile seems to be intended as the explanation of the point “Joe” is trying to make. During the time that Prof. Smith is connected with Government work, Prof. Phelon is acting as head of the Department.

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WILLIAM WARREN BIRD rpissf’ V “r Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Director of the Washburn Shops B. S., W. P. I., 1887; Instructor in Mechanical Engi¬ neering, W. P. L, 1887-91; Assistant Professor of Steam Engineering, 1894-96; Professor of Mechanical Engi¬ neering and Director of the Washhurn Shops, 1903- In the M.E. Department “Piggy” has charge of things; even the responsibility of conserving electric energy seems to rest wholly on his shoulders so far as the M.E. building is con¬ cerned. Only the Seniors meet Prof. Bird in the class room, where he teaches Dynamics and Shop Management. In the former course he made us see, by means of many carefully thought out illustrations, in which the anatomy and dimen¬ sions of dogs figured prominently, just how pulleys and weights, belts, dyna¬ mometers, and trains ought to go. In the Shop Management course we learned about the most complicated system of keeping shop records known, and the farther we went into it, the more we wondered how the Washburn Shops ever get along without an office force six times as large as their present one. PERCY ROBERT CARPENTER “Percy” A E Professor of Physical Education A. B., Harvard, 1907; Hitchcock Fellow, Amherst, 1906- 09; Assistant Dean, 1908-10; Instructor in Physical Education, 1909-10; Assistant Professor, 1910-11; As¬ sociate Professor, 1911-16; Professor of Physi cal Edu¬ cation, W. P. I., 1916- It was only last year that Prof. Carpenter came to Tech, but a year was sufficient for him to establish an excellent course in Physical Training, and to prove that the aforesaid course was worthy to be attended with commendable regularity by those required to take it. The recent closing of the gymnasium to save coal made it possible for Prof. Carpenter to obtain a leave of absence and to enter a field of work in which men of his calibre are greatly needed. He has gone to France to train men physically under the supervision of the Y. M. C. A., and, owing to his knowl¬ edge of French, will work among French-speaking men. Page 17

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CHARLES METCALF ALLEN ‘Xharlie” :SAE TBTI 2H Professor of Hydraulic Engineering B. S., W. P. L, 1894, and M. S., 1899; Instructor in Mechanical Engineering, 1894-1902; Assistant Professor of Experimental Engineering, 1902-06; Professor, 1906- 09; Professor of Hydraulic Engineering, 1909- Professor Allen we remember as the man who was perfectly willing that we should study Hy¬ draulics in our own way so long as we “got the fundamentals.” Most of us were the greater part of the year getting those fundamentals. We, however, mastered them before the end of the year, as “Charlie” probably knew we would. One must see “Charlie” in action at Chaffins before he really knows the man. Here is one professor who will roll up his sleeves and get right into the fray when trouble occurs instead of just telling what ought to be done. We shall remember our work with Prof. Allen as one of those delightful little respites along a rough and rocky road. ARTHUR WOOLSEY EWELL “Punk” B K 2 H Professor of Physics B., Yale, 1897, and Ph. D., 1899; Assistant in Physics, Yale, 1897-99; Instructor, W. P. I., 1900-04; Assistant Professor, 1904-10; Professor, 1910- “Punk” has answered the country’s call, and is now in France, with a Captain’s commission, working on air resistance problems in connec¬ tion with bomb dropping. We can well appre¬ ciate the Government’s need for a man of his ability, since he is a master in his chosen field. Moreover, we shall always regard him as a true exponent of the qualities which go to make up a gentleman, and express the hope that future classes may not miss the privilege of knowing him. A conscientious teacher, and a born worker, he will receive a hearty welcome when he returns to his own country. Page 1-9