From our pages
1912 The article "The Phoenix and the Book" heralded the selection of a University seal and coat of arms. Likened to choosing the seal of the United States, the decision was reached only after extensive deliberation. The crest's original design was particularly troublesome, because it had the book below the bird, and "although the phoenix could not be consumed by flames, the book might be." Dividing the shield into two, saved the book from the fire. The effort expended on the book's behalf was matched only by the attention given to Chicago's motto. Paul Shorey, professor of Greek, resolved the difficulty of translating an interesting motto into academic Latin by drawing inspiration from In Memoriam and the Aeneid and suggesting the now familiar Crescat scientia; vita excolatur.

1952 In "Grand Central Terminal," a science-fiction tale by Leo Szilard, two scientists explore the remains of an American city and surmise that uranium explosions caused the destruction. The characters couldn't understand why the earth dwellers "should have gone to all this process of processing uranium just in order to destroy themselves," wrote Szilard, a professor of biophysics, a leader in establishing the WW II atomic research program, and a frequent contributor to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. From the remains of the train terminal and an art museum, the characters further conclude that there must have been three varieties of humans: smokers, non-smokers, and a "winged" variety. Evidence of the third was "found more frequently among the older paintings than among the more recent paintings," but since no skeletal remains were discovered, the scientists deduced that this variety must have long been extinct by the time of the uranium explosions.

1977 Susanne Hoeber Rudolph, now the William Benton distinguished service professor in political science and the College, and Lloyd I. Rudolph, currently professor in political science and the College, wrote "Jaipur Notes," culled from a year of study and teaching in India during the 1976-77 state of emergency. Reflecting the highly charged and volatile political climate of India at the time, the notes were intended, the Rudolphs wrote, for "a dull censor and a bright colleague." The authors commented on the rich gossip network that acted in place of published political news and the anti-American sentiment that ran rampant in many Indian political circles. Anticipating the 1977 election that would sweep Indira Gandhi from power, the Rudolphs wrote, "it is creeping rather than revolutionary regime change, but in the end the result will be a fundamental transformation."

1992 Rounding out the University's Centennial year, the Magazine celebrated the Spirit of '92-1992, that is-by profiling five members of the College's graduating class, show-
casing a century of Chicago postcards, and evaluating the status of women at the U of C. In other Centennial hoopla, Maroon football players battled the Chicago Bears for the title "Monsters of the Midway." The competition involved an obstacle course to be completed in cap and gown, as well as a poetry reading. Despite the Maroons' pep talk from President Hanna Gray-whose resignation to return to teaching also made headlines in the issue-the contest ended in a draw.
-S.A.Z.

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