Historical image of Varsity Bridge

The Story of CU’s Varsity Bridge

Nov. 5, 2021

Now a romantic set of sandstone arches over the lake, Varsity Bridge has gone through several transformations over the course of CU’s history.

vintage electrical switch

The Frankenstein Switch of CU’s Old Main

Nov. 5, 2021

An artifact of CU’s Heritage Center is believed to be one of the switches that sourced power for Old Main.

unidentified flying object

The Condon Report: CU Boulder’s Historic UFO Study

Nov. 5, 2021

Very few official UFO studies have been conducted, but CU Boulder boasts one of these rare reports.

1983 CU Boulder Buffs Baseball team

Baseball in 1893: CU Vintage Jersey

July 2, 2021

In April 1893, Edwin John Ingram stepped onto the field for CU’s third varsity baseball season.

Buckingham library

The Story of CU's First Library

July 2, 2021

A few ambitious students formed the university’s first library.

Charles Nilon speaks on CU Boulder campus after the March on Washington

Photo: Charles Nilon, CU Boulder's First Black Faculty Member in 1963

July 2, 2021

Several months after the March on Washington, CU professor Charles Nilon spoke at a civil rights demonstration on campus outside of the UMC.

vintage student newspaper with University Portfolio printed as the headline

Reporting from CU

March 18, 2021

The University Portfolio’s first issue lamented the lack of a university glee club, reported anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday and exclaimed that Dr. Sewall — CU’s first president — would work the eight chemistry students 15 hours a day if he could.

slide rule

Computing Before the Computer

March 18, 2021

Before the rise of scientific calculators and computers in the 1960s and 70s, cylindrical slide rules were used to complete multiplication, division and other complex mathematical operations. This particular slide rule — known as Thacher’s Calculating Instrument — was donated to the university by the late William J. Hanna (ElEngr’43;...

CU's old main bell

Saving the Bell

Nov. 10, 2020

Campus lore says the first bell cracked following a football victory over Colorado School of Mines in 1926. Others claim it happened during the off-season.

Marvin Caruthers as a postdoc student

Patent for Human Health

Nov. 10, 2020

CU distinguished professor Marvin Caruthers helped change the course of global human health.

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