It is Felix's birthday today, and we're looking back at the best parts from the first ever issue of the paper.
As today marks the 67th Birthday of this old cat, we look back at the first ever issue, and get some lessons from some of the highlights.
Don’t get too rowdy whilst rowing
Imperial’s sports were still quite eventful. Felix’s own Rowing Correspondent reported on Morphy Day - the rowing race between Royal College of Science, City & Guilds College, and the Royal School of Mines. Crashes in the race lead it to being restarted three times, taking what should have been a 7 minute 30 second course into a one hour and 20 minute event.
They weren’t afraid to say what they thought (and still aren’t)
“Any profits made by the paper will be donated to Sports Day, since it appears that the Union is so impecunious that it may be unable to subsidise coaches and teas on that important occasion.”
Today, coaches for Varsity are covered by Sport Imperial, and you’ll still hear Felix say it how it feels.
Don’t drink and derive
It was The Boat Club Dinner, and Felix’s self-aware reporter quickly realised that having a few less drinks may have been a little helpful in recalling the evening’s events. They had “several [drinks] in the boathouse, several more in the Star and Garter, and a few for good measure in the I.C. bar”, this may not have been the best method for remembering the night.
The evening continued but not without a few hiccups; the reporter discovered he’d forgotten his notebook, there were speeches in excess of half an hour, and we can assume that plenty more drinks were enjoyed. He was “very hazy”, but all round, it left a quite funny article.
The Union Dining Hall still holds dinners to this day.
Imperial’s students could cause a little trouble
Guy Fawkes night celebrations got quite rowdy. Students were greeted next to The Royal Albert Hall by police, scuffles ensued, and some were even taken away by the force. Police helmets were apparently deemed to be popular souvenirs from the night, with reports that one had even appeared on The Houses of Parliament.
Where it all started kicking off.
Don’t try to drive into The Dorchester
Imperial’s students took Boanerges - City & Guilds College’s mascot – on the Brighton Rally, a historic run for vintage vehicles from Hyde Park to Brighton. Imperial’s students have historically been mischievous, throughout the day they’d acquired a very loud taxi horn, and weren’t afraid to use it. Passers by, policemen, and the crowds on Piccadilly all were throughly treated to its heavy use. On the return trip, the Commissioner at The Dorchester refused Bo entry after extended use of the taxi horn didn’t seem to persuade him - the students had to slink back to College.
Three of Imperial's motorised mascots. From left to right : Jezebel, Derrick (in back), Boanerges, and Clementine.
The price of sandwiches were a hot topic for some students
One student wrote in to describe a case that he “felt strongly about” - the food offerings. Sandwiches were no longer 2d, and the cheap 1 1/2d jam sandwiches were nowhere to be seen. Over 60 years later, we’re still to see the return of the jam sandwich, but mozzarella sticks are now on the menu, so there are some ups and downs.
#insight But what about the library cafe sandwich selection ??? pic.twitter.com/yq2AEPAUhg
— Felix (@feliximperial) November 23, 2016
Still high on the list of student issues at Imperial.
The first edition of the paper wasn’t yet free
It cost a whole 3d, or about 41p in today’s money, something which the Editor thought as quite reasonable.
“We do not think it’s beyond the financial scope even of a student…copies for a term cost less than a pint of beer.”
The paper has since shifted from a fortnightly schedule to a weekly one, and has become free, with the Union funding investments into the paper, and printing covered by advert sales.
Felix was full of optimism (and a little poetry)
The first edition was closed with the following remarks:
“So I’ll lay my pint apart; take up my pen and start / Just a little welcome word to wish it well; / Let’s hope this newborn cat will way both large and fat / and in no uncertain fashion “ring the bell”.
Last but not least, Happy Birthday Felix, we’re sure there will be plenty more to come.
