Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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THE AFTERMATH ‘ Inferno ” “ Bernie” BERNHARD EDWARD FERNOW Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering A.B., Cornell, 1904, and M.E., 1906; Instructor in Ex¬ perimental Engineering, 1921-23; Assistant Professor of iMechanical Engineering, W. P. I., 1924-. We learned the raison d’etre of monkey wrenches and stay-bolts in Sophomore Steam. But this was only a brief acquaintance. Prof. Fernow appeared on the scene again in our Senior year in a “man’s size” subject—Gas. Picture the horrors of Gas Warfare, especially if a man is without his mask—Thermo. “I don’t think you fellows are on your job” was the opening sentence of a “hit-and-miss” ex¬ planation; and if the man insisted that he couldn’t “quite see the point,” “you come and see me after class” was the conclusion. And there in his office he certainly was always in the best of moods, willing to straighten any diffi¬ culty. JEROME WILLARD HOWE Professor of Civil Engineering B.S., W. P. L, 1909; Instructor in Civil Engineering, Penn. Military College, 1910-11; Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, W. P. I., 1924-26; Professor, 1926-. The 1927 Class of Civils have seen a great deal of “Jerry,” being under his careful super¬ vision in Soph summer camp and in Masonry and Water Supply during our Senior year. The members of the class have found it enlightening to talk with the “Major” concerning class-room work, with special attention to outside engineer¬ ing affairs. “Jerry” was always willing to spend extra time in helping us get started on the right track. It is a pleasure to observe the efficient military manner in which he carries on the day’s work. It is to the “Major” that the 1927 C. E.’s give their sincere regards in all his future endeavors. “Jerry” “Major” 23 0T 26

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r THE AFTERMATH SAMUEL JAMES PLIMPTON Assistant Professor of Physics Ph.B., Yale, 1905. and Ph.D., 1912; Loomis Fellow. 1905- 06; Assistant in Physics, 1909-12; Instructor, 1912-13; Johns Hopkins, 1913-14; W. P. I., 1914-19; Assistant Professor, 1919-. Plimp has been a boy physicist, an automo¬ bile racer, a pioneer in X-ray work, a radio in¬ ventor, and part author of one of the world standard books in mathematical physics. Once in his father’s cellar he was surprised to see the inverted image of a horse and carriage move across the wall. Nay, Volsted ’tis hut one of his apt personal experience stories to illustrate the point—in this case a pinhole camera effect. No matter how much we wanted to learn about the acceleration of gravity—and we all did—we could always forgive “Plimp” for interrupting the class routine with one of his stories. “Plimp HERBERT FOSTER TAYLOR Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering and, Secretary- Treasurer of the Alumni Association B.S., W. P. I., 1912; Assistant Professor of Civil En¬ gineering, 1920-22; Assistant Professor of Civil Engineer¬ ing, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Alumni Association, 1922-. We didn’t meet “Herb” in any class-room un¬ til our Junior year, when we had Highways. Nevertheless we all felt as though we’d known him for years for he made us feel right at home. His announcement the first day that Highways wasn’t a hard course proved a bitter illusion to certain members of our class. We had him again in Sewerage, but it was as the Alumni Secretary that we know him best. He has probably travelled as far, if not far¬ ther, than anybody in the interests of Tech. We “Herb are looking forward to the day when we can sit Skull 2 AE in at Alumni banquets and listen to “Herb.” 25

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r ' s THE AFTERMATH GLEASON HARVEY MacCULLOUGH Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering B.S., W. P. I., 1918; Instructor in Mechanical Engineer¬ ing, 1918-24; Assistant Professor, 1924-. Our contacts with “Mac” have been lengthy and instructive. In every course, front Descript to Graphics, we have found him an able and conscientious teacher. The slave-driving attri¬ butes failed almost wholly to materialize, al¬ though “Mac” was never very liberal with “A’s” and “B’s”. Probably his parsimonious Scotch soul revolted at the thought of such prodigality. His ability to tutor in any course and put it across better than the professor who taught it will stand out among our recollections of him. “Mac” is a born teacher and, as the years give him added experience with students and with his subjects, he should reach the heights of his profession. “Mac” TBn “Happy” V 1 ? HAROLD JOSEPH GAY Assistant Professor of Mathematics A.B., Harvard, 1919; A.M., Clark, 1922; Instructor in Mathematics, W. P. I., 1919-24; Assistant Professor, 1924-. “Borrow some of your neighbor’s paper and give your opinion on the following.” With this pithy remark Prof. Gay would break a piece of chalk, shoot one-half with deadly accuracy into the waste basket ten feet away, and with the other dash off a dozen or so trigonometric iden¬ tities on the blackboard. The professor’s young charges would always solve at least two or three of them before the bell rang, which was quite an accomplishment, wasn’t it? And yet, our marks from Prof. Gay were nearly all gifts; and never were gifts more acceptable, nor was giver more liked and respected. 27