Rattle 2

RIT

Installed: February 4, 1967
Rattle Delivered to Colorado State: May 27, 1967
Object Added: Creators of Rattle 2

“Rattle II consists of six 1 1/4” square bars of 2024 aluminum alloy that were milled to form one of the basic engineering construction forms, I-beams. The beams are arranged to form a symbol of our brotherhood, the simplest and strongest of the regular geometric solids, the triangular pyramid. At the peak of the pyramid is a sphere and its significance being one of necessity. The sphere is used as the final fastening device for the whole structure. The spherical form was chosen because it symbolizes the total encompassing of all knowledge in the world we live in. Aluminum was used as the material for construction because it was in keeping within the realm of space age materials that the brothers of the R.I.T. chapter had as criteria for construction. This particular aluminum alloy has a special characteristic in that it has age hardenability. It will gradually increase in its surface hardness as it increases in age. The completed structure was anodized to give it the brushed finish. A small engraved plate was fastened to the front of Rattle II with the name and installation date of the R.I.T. chapter.”—George Komorowski rit67

The plaque reads “RIT 2-4-67”.

Colorado State

Installed: May 27, 1967
Rattle Delivered to Rose Tech:  May 4, 1968
Object Added: Brass T

The Colorado State Chapter added a three-dimensional brass T, milled in a manner similar to the sides of the pyramid, and located inside the pyramid in such a way that a view of any face of the pyramid appears as a Triangle with a T enclosed.

The highly polished 60-40 copper-zinc brass is reminiscent of gold, symbolic of non-corrosiveness, light, and knowledge. The T represents the highest ideal of Triangle and symbolizes the bond which unites all Triangle brothers.

A plaque on the T reads: “CSU  5-27-67”.

Rose Tech

Installed: May 4, 1968
Rattle Delivered to Colorado: April 26, 1969
Object Added: Inverted pyramid

The Rose Tech Chapter’s addition consisted of an inverted pyramid (which supported the aluminum frame and brass T of the previous chapters) supported by angled letters F, S, & C on a wood base. The wood base was replaced by a later chapter. Everything was of wood, I believe walnut.—Randy Drew rose67

A plaque on top of the base reads “R.P.I. 5-4-68”.

Colorado

Installed: April 26, 1969
Rattle Delivered to Pittsburgh: April 4, 1970
Object Added: Marble base

Colorado’s addition to Rattle II consists of a 3/4 inch thick 18 x 18 inch Colorado Yule marble base weighing approximately 24 lb. The idea of a marble base was first suggested and conceived at the 1969 Triangle National Convention in Windsor, Ontario, through discussion with Brother Jack Allison oks64asc. Colorado Yule marble was used not only for its constant and unchanging beauty but also because it is found only in Colorado and is representative of the Colorado Chapter. The base is symbolic of the firmness, constancy, and steadfastness which each Triangle brother and chapter must have.

A plaque in the marble reads “Colo  4-26-69”.

Pittsburgh

Installed: April 4, 1970
Rattle Delivered to UWM: April 11, 1970
Object Added: Three metal rods joined to form a triangle

The addition consisted of three metal rods joined to form a triangle. The junctions signify the bonds of brotherhood between members of our chapter of Triangle, while there being three bonds between the rods represents the three basic precepts of the fraternity. This was placed near the center of the pyramid, horizontal to the base with the junctions between the addition and the rattle signifying our ties with our brothers of other Triangle chapters.

The addition being placed above the base represents the progress of our chapter while it’s being placed below the pinnacle represents our striving for our goal of a more perfect brotherhood. The placement halfway up the rattle also suggests our transient status at college between the world of our families and the new life emerging before us. As this addition forms yet another part of the structure of the rattle, the brothers of Pittsburgh have formed another foundation for Triangle to grow.

A plaque on top of the triangle reads “Pitt  4-4-70”.

UWM

Installed: April 11, 1970
Rattle Delivered to Toledo: May 22, 1971
Object Added: Six tools of engineering

Triangle Fraternity is founded at the University of Illinois. April 15, 1970 – Another chapter of Triangle is installed on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. How is it possible for the two to be related, being sixty-three years and some three or four generations apart?

The transition from past to present, from old to new, from simple to complex, this is what the UWM chapter is trying to portray in its addition to Rattle II. The basic tools of engineering, the six simple machines, each in a separate corner of two triangles mounted on the base, have been transformed over the years through utilization of engineering knowledge, experience, and experimentation into a complex space vehicle. Without the simple machines, there could not possibly by any complex ones.

By the same token Triangle of 1907 has been transformed through knowledge, experience, and experimentation into the Triangle of 1970. Without the original idea, there could not possibly be any new ones.

But in each case, it is the basics, enduring and unalterable, which are relied upon for existence. The six simple machines make engineering what it is today. The original objectives of Triangle make it the enduring organization which exists today. Progress, change, and development will always continue. But the basics will remain steadfast and binding. (9/4/71)

Left front wooden block has plaque engraved: “U.W.M. 4-15-70”

Toledo

Installed: May 22, 1971
Rattle Delivered to Mississippi State: November 11, 1972
Object Added: Enclosed upper portion of rattle in glass

The Toledo Chapter of Triangle has enclosed the upper portion of the Rattle in glass. The enclosure itself signifies the embodiment of the Fraternity on the national level. We are dedicated, as citizens, to the rest of our fellow Americans, yet as a Fraternity, we share principles and ideals which are shared only by we the members of Triangle.

The two rear sheets of glass are one-way glass, reflective to the inside but transparent from the outside. This represents the fact that Triangle is in the limelight, always watched by outsiders as an example of good citizenship, and hoping to reflect these virtues on its members on the inside. The transparent glass on the front face portrays the communication and cooperation that must always exist between the Triangle members and these outsiders who are our Brothers in the much larger Fraternity of God’s world.

Finally, the geometry of the glass, the triangle, as usual, signifies the three precepts of our sacred ritual, and the material itself, which is unique to the Rattle is reserved by the local Toledo Chapter of Triangle to signify our Chapter as a resident of Toledo, the Glass Capital of the World.—James Hiltner

A plaque on the front of the glass reads “Tol  5-22-71”.

Mississippi State

Installed: November 11, 1972
Rattle Delivered to Oklahoma: November 18, 1979

Mississippi State Chapter’s addition unknown.

Oklahoma

Installed: November 18, 1979
Rattle Delivered to Virginia Polytechnic Institute: April 19, 1980

The Oklahoma Chapter did not make any additions to The Rattle.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI)

Installed: April 19, 1980
Rattle Delivered to Connecticut: March 27, 1982
Object Added: Redwood base

A redwood base was attached surrounding the Rattle’s existing marble base. The words ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, and SCIENTISTS were routed in on three of the base’s four sides.—Mike Yager

A plaque on top of the base reads “VPI  4-19-80”

Connecticut

Installed: March 27, 1982
Object Added: Metal triangle enclosing granite

The Connecticut chapter added a small metal Triangle on the front leg of the wooden support. The triangle encloses a piece of masonry from the Eads Bridge. An engraving on the metal reads “UCONN 3-27-82”. At the base of the Triangle is a metal arch, symbolizing St. Louis.

Alloy 86% copper, 13% indium, 1% gold  created by Omar Hernandez