MIT150 Exhibition Nomination

Identifying the Oncogene

ariel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:40:43 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “In 1979 Robert Weinberg reports isolating and identifying the first oncogene, a mutated gene that causes the uncontrolled cell growth that leads to cancer. With this discovery, Weinberg pioneered the molecular and genetic era of cancer research — a remarkable accomplishment given that the field was once considered to be a scientific backwater where few made any headway. And while basic research discoveries can take years to reach the bedside — if they ever do — Weinberg’s unusually fertile career has already led to the development of Herceptin, the first “smart drug” to combat breast cancer. Based on Weinberg’s 1981 discovery of the Neu protein, Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody treatment for patients suffering from an aggressive, recurring form of the disease.

“Cancer research pioneer! We take for granted that there is a molecular and genetic basis to cancer. It was once thought to be a virus in the 70s. However, Bob Weinberg illuminated the fundamental biology underlying this disease.”

Lucian Pye

ariel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:15:36 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “A pioneer in the McCarthy era, Lucian Pye becomes the first comparative scholars of Asian history and politics. Pye advised three U.S. Presidents, the Department of State and the National Security Council on foreign policy matters.

“Pye shows that MIT is not just science, but policy, political science, economics, and international affairs as well! Pye is also another “MIT first,” and a prominent foreign policy expert to several U.S. Presidents.”

More information

Technicolor

ariel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:33:23 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “In 1917, Herbert Kalmus develops the first color moving pictures by superimposing multiple negatives and projecting them through multiple apertures. The process, which he dubbed “Technicolor,” was a nod to his alma mater, “Tech,” and yielded such epochal films as The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

“Color moving pictures with synch sound — Kalmus started a film revolution!”

More information

Marion Mahony Griffin

ariel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:29:51 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “Marion Mahony Griffin is the second woman to graduate from MIT and the first American woman to register as an architect. She goes on to work for Frank Lloyd Wright and is consider a prominent member of the Prairie School, eventually rising to the role of “head designer.” With her husband, a colleague at Wright’s firm, Griffin designed the city of Canberra, Australia.

“The “Heroine of Chicago Architecture” (New York Times) is just another “MIT first!” First registered woman architect and one of the first women (after Ellen Swallow Richards) to graduate from the Institute. Moreover, Mahony planned the City of Canberra in Australia and helped establish the Prarie School Movement (alongside Frank Lloyd and colleagues).”

More information

Photo courtesy the National Library of Australia

Tsien Hsue-shen

ariel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:26:35 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “Tsien was a founding member of NASA’s Jet Propulsion laboratory, and he received his master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT. Offered tenure at the age of 35, Tsien Hsue-shen is thought to be the youngest professor in the history of the Institute.

“Tsien’s career follows the contours of the space race, the McCarthy era, the development of the U.S. space program, showing that MIT’s greatest minds shaped the big ideas of the day.”

Special Interest Group in Urban Settlements (SIGUS)

ariel — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:28:06 +0000

An alumnus writes, “The Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement (SIGUS) has been the world’s forefront research engine in developmental studies for almost 4 decades, linking housing, architecture, urban planning, and community interests in the Departments of Architecture and Urban Studies. Its focus on developing areas worldwide makes the program one of the world’s most prominent in an interdisciplinary study of physical planning and design. With practical focus and “hand-on” approach which is the landmark of SIGUS, alumni from this program have gone to become very successful professionals in the field making “real different” to the world at large. For an institution devoting to serve public needs like MIT, the importance of SIGUS marks the milestone of MIT’s dynamic in tellectual contributions to the world at large.

“SIGUS explores the new professionalism emerging for architects and planners, and concentrates on service, participation and non-traditional client groups. It offers workshops and short courses, and carry out research and outreach programs stressing participatory methods in promoting affordable and equitable housing. Established in 1984, SIGUS grew out of the rethinking of method, practice, and teaching driven by the rapidly expanding informal sector in both developing and developed countries. SIGUS Director Professor Reinhard Goethert, a recipient of the prestigious United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honor, an international award for “outstanding contributions in the development of innovative methodologies, has been at MIT for 40 years — as a student, researcher, professor, and director of the SIGUS.”

Professor John Dower

ariel — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:49:31 +0000

An alumnus writes, “No one has made a contribution to the study of History at MIT more than Prof.John Dower, a Pulitzer Prize historian, an MIT’s Killian Teaching Awardee, and a scholar who defines US/Japan post-war International Relations as a field of study.

“Prof.Dower, for more than 2 decades, has taught and inspired many young scholars to become a scientist/engineer/architect with humanistic mind. He taught history with real passion and selfless support to students’ academic knowledge and beyond. His “Visualizing Culture” project online with Prof.Shigeru Miyagawa defined the new approach to the understanding of history “from within” through the eyes of those who experienced the history themselves. The online platform makes it accessible to everyone regardless of their status.”

Symbolics Inc. stock certificate

ariel — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:06:34 +0000

A former staff member nominates a new acquisition by the MIT Museum: “First share of stock for Symbolics Inc. Spun out of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the company built LISP machines and software, offering the cutting edge of the cutting edge in object-oriented software. Its Symbolics Graphics division created astonishing early tools for digital video, including a package that evolved into animation software for the Lord of the Rings movies.

“Symbolics created and commercialized a major new software platform. Its story also demonstrated how quickly this can happen, and also how quickly technologies and products can become obsolete….”

Mural outside Phillip Sharp’s office

ariel — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:49:37 +0000

A former staff member writes, “A Nobel prizewinner for his discovery of RNA splicing, Institute Professor Phillip Sharp also has co-founded both Biogen and of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. This huge mural outside the Institute Professor’s office gives a clue to one aspect of his extraordinary career in biomedical research: It holds a picture of everyone who has worked in his lab.

“Extraordinary scientist who emphasizes training new scientists as well as leadership in scientific affairs and public awareness.”

See this object in the MIT 150 Exhibition!

Tsok Kai Tse and Ching Yu Wen

ariel — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:35:37 +0000

An MIT staff member writes, “In 1908, MIT graduates the first Chinese students from MIT.

1. MIT has been a global university since its founding.

2. China is a rising power in the world, but MIT and China are very old friends.

3. MIT’s ingenuity has been disseminated throughout the world. Many of the early international scholars that MIT educated went on to build major railroads, critical infrastructures, global enterprises, and even founded new universities.

Historical background:

The first Chinese students, members of the “Chinese 100,” came to MIT in 1876. They were part of a special delegation sent by the Chinese government and studied mathematics, mining engineering, chemistry, and mechanical engineering at the Institute. They did not graduate because they were recalled to China to pursue military service.

The Alumni Association or the MIT Archives have yearbook pictures of the students and other notable Chinese graduates.”

More information:

China’s First Hundred

Yung Wing: My Life in China and America (he organized the educational comissions that brought the students to MIT):

More Yung Wing info

Photo: Ching Yu Wen ’08 in 1921