1974 – 1979

First Magic Show

by Neil S. Rothman

I started at RPI in its 150th year so it's hard to believe that it is 50 years later and the Tute is celebrating 200 years! My clearest "first" was the Physics Magic Show in CC308. We were the first class to have lectures there and the demonstrations really brought physics to life. As an engineering professor, I try to emulate what we saw back then and illustrate fundamental principles and concepts to my students through experimentation. I especially remember Prof. Leitner taking a chip out of the cinderblock wall with the bowling ball suspended from the ceiling.