Four images of smashing pianos and junk cars

Smashing throughout the ages. Top and Bottom Left: Students participate in the North Campus "Piano Reduction" competition between the two men's halls, Rawson and Gates in 1966 to determine who could thoroughly demolish a piano more quickly. Top Right: Victor Pinheiro '13 takes aim at the A-pillar of a junk car during the car smashing study break in the parking lot outside of the Harris Center. Bottom Right: Two students prepare make some considerable impacts on the rear end of the junk car.

Photographer: 
©1966 Henry Wilhelm, Ben Brewer ’11

Four images of smashing pianos and junk cars

Smashing throughout the ages.

1966 — Top and Bottom Left: Students participate in the North Campus Piano Reduction competition between the two men's halls, Rawson and Gates, to determine who could thoroughly demolish a piano more quickly. All pieces of the demolished pianos had to fit through the official judging square, visible in the center of the bottom photo.

2012 — Top Right: Today's students, however, have a slightly different approach. Victor Pinheiro '13 takes aim at the A-pillar of a junk car during the car smashing study break in the parking lot outside of the Harris Center. Bottom Right: Two students prepare make some considerable impacts on the rear end of the junk car.