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Sword in the Stone: Difference between revisions
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→The First Sword in the Stone
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===The First Sword in the Stone=== | ===The First Sword in the Stone=== | ||
In the early 1990s, the Brute Force Committee was driven deep underground by a series of controversial pranks and vandalism, which polarized public opinion of the BFC. In response, the BFC circulated a large number of stickers with their blue and gold crest and sword around the University of Toronto campus. During those times, it was a dangerous exercise to be found with one of these stickers, as the Faculty had banned the BFC from any affiliation with the University and its students. | |||
In those years, it was also customary for graduating classes to leave permanent or semi-permanent monuments to their class. These pranks were tolerated so long as they were safe, non-offensive, and aesthetically neutral. | |||
The few remaining members of the now-underground BFC, however, decided to take the pranking to the next step. They had decided to erect a large "Sword in the Stone" to ensure that the memory of their existence would not fade. | |||
A large reinforced concrete block, measuring about 8'x8'x3', made of experimental extra-hard concrete, was constructed with the help of the Civil Engineering laboratories. The sword and the stone were cast together, and left to cure for several months in a secret location in an effort to increase its strength. | |||
Finally, one night, it was set into the lawn in front of Sandford Fleming Building (facing Convocation Hall) via a hired crane. Once the Sword was in place, the loops of rebar used for hoisting were cut off to make the stone flush and much harder to remove. | |||
The Sword in the Stone was discovered by the Faculty the next morning, and by 10am, there was a crew of three workers attacking it with jackhammers. By 4pm, it was fully removed. Some Civil Engineering students at the time claimed that it was the "longest they have ever seen a piece of concrete stand up to such an assault with jackhammers". | |||
Although the perpetrators of the prank were disheartened, they managed to find the sword in a dumpster and rescued it. | |||
When it was discussed unofficially with members of the Faculty, they found that it would be less likely to removed if it were not visible from Convocation Hall. Thus, over several months, a new plan was hatched to recreate the monument in front of the main entrance to the Sandford Fleming Building. | |||
Shortly after, the Sword in the Stone was re-erected in front of the main entrance of the building. | |||
When the Sword was re-erected, a time capsule was placed into the base as a historical tribute. However, it did not survive the subsequent demolition following renovations to the Sandford Fleming Building. | |||
===Re-construction of the Sword in the Stone=== | ===Re-construction of the Sword in the Stone=== | ||