.: history of plumb bob

Plumb Bob—the I.T. Honorary Leadership Society that brings I.T. Week to campus every year. We are a society full of rich history. The group originated following World War I. When the war veterans returned home, they faced many challenges, especially the ones who decided to pursue a science or engineering degree through the University of Minnesota. In spite of rigorous efforts by those brave veterans, physics got the best of them. Some failed the class and became destined to one more year of the course with an entirely different class of students.

The veterans who failed physics are responsible for forming the society of Plumb Bob. The only requirement to join the new group was to fail either a University of Minnesota math or physics course. The original members of Plumb Bob met at a bar on East Hennepin to discuss their daily problems. Over time the meeting places changed, but the kind of people in the society did not. The "failure" requirement was eventually dropped in favor of a GPA of at least 3.14; thus, Plumb Bob became an Honorary Leadership Society.

Plumb Bob has had the honor of guarding the sacred Blarney Stone since the 1940s. It is the dearest of all things to a true engineer. Inscribed in the stone is the foundation of engineering: "Erin go Braugh!" which can be translated to, "St. Patrick was an engineer!"

During the early years of the society, Plumb Bob members would carry the Blarney Stone out of hiding and display it on their float in the Engineer's Day parade. All engineers would pay tribute to the stone by kissing it—a great honor. After the parade, one lucky engineer was dubbed St. Patrick, and the stone was presented to him. At the end of the night, Plumb Bob members would run off into the darkness and hide the Blarney Stone for one more year.

The School of Mines was always envious of the sacred Blarney Stone. They tried year after year to steal the stone from Plumb Bob's determined care. On many occasions they were successful, which eventually led to an event where the Miners would crush the stone at a local quarry. Fortunately, the members of Plumb Bob learned of this terrible event before it happened and replaced the true Blarney Stone with a fake. Much to the miners' chagrin, the sacred Blarney Stone was safe.

After the School of Mines dissolved, the foresters and law students took over the tradition of trying to steal the Blarney Stone. For decades the foresters were the chief rivals of Plumb Bob and all engineers. But the inevitable finally occurred: the strength of the Forestry Club waned while Plumb Bob and engineers remained strong. It is in this spirit that the early celebration of engineers began, and in this strong spirit that we continue to celebrate what has become I.T. Week!

.: why all the clovers?

Wondering why Plumb Bob seems to be obsessed with clovers? Well, the answer is quite simple: St. Patrick is the patron saint of all engineers! We pay tribute to him each I.T. Week by bringing out the blarney stone for people to kiss. Inscribed into the stone is "Erin go Braugh," which is loosely translated as, “St. Patrick was an engineer!” Many engineers believe that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland with his engineering skills, and others credit him with the invention of calculus.