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Why is the Fulton Debating Room in Gasson?

"The Fulton Debating Room [Gasson 305] resides in Gasson Hall because it is the oldest building on the campus, having been built in 1913," said John Katsulas, director of the Fulton Debating Society. The Society was founded in 1890, many years before Boston College moved to its current campus. "So, when Gasson Hall was built in 1913, the Fulton Debating Room was added as the central meeting room for the debate society."

Fulton Hall was not built until 1948. Though now used primarily as a classroom, this historic amphitheater is the location of the Society's annual Fulton Prize Debate, a public on-campus event. Each year, the winner of the Debate has his or her name painted high above the room on the front wall.

The Society's website notes a number of distinguished winners, including Lawrence Riley, 1936, former bishop of Boston; John J. Curtin, Jr., 1954, former president of the American Bar Association; and James J. Unger, 1963, a National Debate Tournament finalist and successful debate coach at Georgetown University.

"On the far left and right side of the room are empty circles where pictures of the debate coaches were supposed to be painted. However, for some reason, this was never carried out," said Katsulas.

The 112th Fulton Prize Debate took place last Thursday, and Joseph Bowden, this year's winner and A&S '05, will soon be added to the list of distinguished Prize recipients.

-Christina Bechhold

How big is the Reservoir?

The Chestnut Hill Reservoir covers 125.2 acres in Cleveland Circle. The Reservoir was formed in 1878 when the Sudbury River was diverted to bring drinking water into the developing Cleveland Circle area, and it originally had two basins. Today the Reservoir is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is used as open space, but it can be pumped in emergencies.

BC acquired one of the basins in 1949, and in a development project, filled in its part of the Reservoir. The landfill was used to build most of Lower Campus, including Alumni Stadium, which was dedicated in 1957.

Today, the Reservoir is used by many BC students as a running route. The loop around the pond is approximately two miles.

-Michelle Sanders

How does Polaroid film work?

Before digital cameras, photographers still wanted to see their results right away. To make memories instant, the Polaroid Corporation invented a new type of film and camera in 1947. Edwin Land, the inventor of the new product, created a film that developed itself in minutes. To do this, Land made film with all the necessary developing chemicals already inside of it.

Instant film has three layers that respond to different colors of light. Between each layer of color is developer. Those layers sit on top of a black layer that separates it from an acid layer and a timing layer. These parts are stacked in such a way that they will form a chain reaction when exposed to a catalyst.

The reagent that gets the chain reaction going sits in the middle of the film and is separated from all the other layers. After you say "cheese" and smile for the camera, the picture exits the camera through a set of rollers which spreads the reagent over the film and gets the reaction started. The chemicals are all light sensitive and begin developing the moment the film is exposed.

As the reagent works its way through all of the layers, the images begins to appear. Chemical particles appropriately called opacifiers shield the image from light until the image is fully developed. The chemicals are measured to fit the timing perfectly so that the opacifiers will not begin to become clear until the image is developed enough not to be damaged by the light. The entire process happens in just a few minutes.

Using instant film is a simple process that is difficult to screw up, but don't take OutKast's advice and shake your Polaroid picture - that would disrupt the delicate chemical reaction taking place and ruin your image. The Polaroid Corporation recommends you leave the film on a flat surface and don't touch it until the image has fully formed.

-Michelle Sanders