A RECENT EXHIBIT offered a glimpse into the world of a Wentworth student from nearly a century ago.
Books, mementos, and tools once belonging to Joseph W. Odlum, a student in the Steam and Electrical Power Plant Practice, were on display during the fall semester. The Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons hosted the exhibit—entitled “TBTwenties: Student Memorabilia and Tools in the 1920s”—in the Guarracino Family Gallery.
Joseph’s son, Frank A. Odlum, discovered his father’s objects in the process of downsizing his house, and donated them to the Wentworth Archives. In addition to the objects seen on these pages, items included a 1924–25 course catalog, a class schedule and tardy card, baseball tickets, and dance cards.
The family has also established the Joseph W. Odlum Scholarship, awarded to Mechanical Engineering students. Joseph Odlum was the president of his class and once president of the Wentworth Alumni Association.
TOP RIGHT: Drafting compasses
TOP LEFT: Odlum’s hard hat
BOTTOM LEFT: Mining axe
BOTTOM RIGHT: Slide rule, an early predecessor to calculators and computers marked with logarithmic scales and used for making rapid calculations