What's New in the IHTFP Gallery?
2023.05.17 -
Added writeups for: Cramming for 19.101 Finals
(2022.12.20)
2023.03.29 -
Added writeups for: Openness Hack
(2022.10.12)
2023.03.12 -
Added writeups for: MIT is Duke Now
(2023.01.03)
2023.03.05 -
Added writeups for: Eye of Sauron on top of Small Dome
(2022.10.13)
, MIT Orkards
(2021.10.22)
2023.03.04 -
Added writeups for: Harvard Duck Heist
(2022.12.05)
2023.02.26 -
Added writeups for: KEEP MIT OPEN, KEEP MIT WEIRD
(2022.09.08)
2023.02.01 -
Added writeups for: Twosday Hack
(2022.02.22)
, Wordle is IHTFP
(2022.04.08)
, Wakanda Forever!
(2022.11.11)
2022.10.02 -
MIT Museum reopens in Kendall Square
In October 2022, the MIT Museum opened in a new 56,000 sq. ft. space at 314 Main Street in Kendall Square. The Museum is also home to the MIT Hacks Collection, an archive of physical hacking artifacts dating to 1969.
In October 2022, the MIT Museum opened in a new 56,000 sq. ft. space at 314 Main Street in Kendall Square. The Museum is also home to the MIT Hacks Collection, an archive of physical hacking artifacts dating to 1969.
2021.11.11 -
Added writeups for: Barber 70 Scavenger Hunt
(2021.11.08)
2019.07.28 -
Added writeups for: Captain America Shield on the Great Dome
(2019.04.27)
2019.02.06 -
Added writeups for: 3.091 Periodic Table
(2018.12.12)
, Lobby 7 Disco Ball
(2018.02.12)
, A Periodic Table and a Candy Cane
(2018.12.02-2018.12.17)
2018.03.22 -
Added writeups for: Foam Dinosaur on Kresge
(2017.10.23)
2017.12.25 -
Added writeups for: Nothing's Impossible Banner in Walker
(2017.12.22)
2017.11.14 -
Added writeups for: CSAIL Sail
(2017.11.12)
2017.10.09 -
Added writeups for: GLaDOS in Lobby 7
(2017.10.09)
2017.07.18 -
Added writeups for: Senior House Tombstone
(2017.06.18)
2017.04.29 -
Added writeups for: Earth Day
(2017.04.22)
2017.04.25 -
Added writeups for: 21 in 7
(2017.04.08)
2017.03.08 -
Added writeups for: Pussy Hats for Women's Day
(2017.03.08)
2017.02.27 -
Added writeups for: Relay For Life
(2017.02.27)
2017.02.04 -
Added writeups for: Infinite Fortune
(2016.10.12)
, MacGhosts
(2016.10.31)
, Traffic Tribute
(2017.02.03)
, Elevator Buttons
(2017.01.15)
, Buckyball in 10-250
(2016.12.14)
, Mars Rover by Kresge
(2016.12.20)
2017.02.03 -
Hack, Punt, Tool: Revival!
In IAP 2017, MIT's Musical Theatre Guild staged a revival of the 2012 MIT-hacking musical, Hack, Punt, Tool. A full recording can be found here, and fun behind-the-scenes materials (such as past-and-present cast matchups!) can be found on the Hack, Punt, Tool website.
In IAP 2017, MIT's Musical Theatre Guild staged a revival of the 2012 MIT-hacking musical, Hack, Punt, Tool. A full recording can be found here, and fun behind-the-scenes materials (such as past-and-present cast matchups!) can be found on the Hack, Punt, Tool website.
2016.10.10 -
Added writeups for: 2020 Vision Chart
(2016.09.07)
2016.09.06 -
Added writeups for: 25 Years of Linux
(2016.08.25)
2016.07.31 -
Added writeups for: Planes Over North Court
(2016.05.09)
, CPW Banners Unfurled
(2016.04.07)
2016.05.28 -
Added writeups for: Tau on the Cow
(2015.06.28)
2016.05.26 -
Added writeups for: Media Lab Logo
(2015.06.01)
2016.05.20 -
Added writeups for: Moving Day Beaver
(2016.05.07)
, Maclaurin's energy vision
(2016.05.19)
2016.05.19 -
Added writeups for: Captain America
(2016.05.08-2016.05.10)
2016.04.12 -
Added writeups for: Tribute to David Bowie
(2016.01.12)
2016.03.14 -
Added writeups for: Drone Invasion
(2016.03.14)
2016.02.10 -
Added writeups for: SpaceX
(2016.02.01)
2015.11.15 -
Added writeups for: French Flag Projected on Great Dome
(2015.11.14)
2015.10.29 -
Added writeups for: Jurassic World
(2015.04.26)
2015.10.25 -
Added writeups for: Hack to the Future
(2015.10.21)
, New Bexley
(2015.10.12)
, Music Notes
(2009.09.20)
, Giant Spider
(2010.10.31)
2015.09.19 -
Added writeups for: #IStandWithAhmed Clock
(2015.09.18)
2015.09.04 -
Added writeups for: Hackapult
(2015.09.04)
2015.08.30 -
Added writeups for: Rainbow 77
(2014.07.15)
2015.08.18 -
Added writeups for: MIT Pride
(2015.06.26)
2015.06.27 -
Added writeups for: Pi in the Sky
(2015.03.14)
2015.03.13 -
Added writeups for: Pirate Bay Flag
(2015.02.01)
, Phoebe Wang Memorial
(2014.09.25)
, Collier's Cranes
(2014.04.18)
2015.03.01 -
Added writeups for: Caltech Admissions Tube
(2014.04.02)
, Excellence Awards
(2014.02.25)
2015.02.25 -
Added writeups for: Castle on a Cloud
(2014.10.25)
2015.02.24 -
Added writeups for: Snowhenge
(2015.01.29)
2015.02.13 -
Added writeups for: Welcome Back Hockfield
(2013.04.01)
, /g/
(2012.05.06)
, Freddie on Kresge
(2013.09.05)
, Olympic Rings Over Briggs
(2014.02.08)
, The Enemy's Gate is Down
(2013.11.03)
2015.02.12 -
Added writeups for: Random's 11th Birthday
(2012.02.28)
2014.06.06 -
Added writeups for:
Breaking Bad Alchemist
(2013.09.29)
2014.04.22 -
Added writeups for: Sean Collier Memorial
(2013.04.22)
2014.03.25 -
Added writeups for: Thanksgivukkah Dreidel on Building 10
(2013.12.03)
2014.03.04 -
Hack Madness
To honor this MIT custom, the MIT Alumni Association is holding Hack Madness: The MIT Tournament of Hacks, a two-week contest to determine the Institute’s greatest hack.
To honor this MIT custom, the MIT Alumni Association is holding Hack Madness: The MIT Tournament of Hacks, a two-week contest to determine the Institute’s greatest hack.
2013.01.23 -
Added writeups for: Portal Themed Newton's Cradle
(2012.04.18)
, Medical Mask on the Alchemist
(2013.01.15)
, Pacman and Blinky on the Great Dome
(2013.01.10)
2013.01.22 -
Added writeups for:
Mayan's "Final Week" tribute in Lobby 7
(2012.12.17)
2012.04.21 -
Added writeups for:
Tetris on the Green Building
(2012.04.20)
2012.04.20 -
Tetris on the Green Building!!!
Someone finally pulled off Tetris on the Green Building and it's up there and live now! More details to come...
Someone finally pulled off Tetris on the Green Building and it's up there and live now! More details to come...
2012.04.19 -
Added writeups for:
Circus in Lobby 7
(2012.04.19)
2012.04.17 -
Added writeups for:
Dalek on the Stata Center
(2012.04.17)
2012.02.06 -
Hack, Punt, Tool: a Hacking Musical
MIT's Musical Theatre Guild wrote and is performing a musical about hacking at MIT called Hack, Punt, Tool. Final performances are on the weekend of February 9th, with tickets available through MTG's website.
MIT's Musical Theatre Guild wrote and is performing a musical about hacking at MIT called Hack, Punt, Tool. Final performances are on the weekend of February 9th, with tickets available through MTG's website.
2012.01.19 -
Added writeups for: November Rule
(2011.11.11)
2012.01.18 -
Added writeups for: Invasion MIT
(2011.12.14)
2012.01.11 -
Added writeups for:
1000 xkcd Comics in Lobby 7
(2012.01.11)
2011.11.13 -
Added writeups for: V for Vendetta
(2011.11.05)
2011.10.09 -
Added writeups for: Apple Logo in Memory of Steve Jobs
(2011.10.06)
2011.10.06 -
Added writeups for: Cheat Code to the Dome
(2011.09.03)
, Nyan Cat in Lobby 7
(2011.09.06)
, 10th Anniversary of 9/11
(2011.09.11)
2011.08.27 -
Added writeups for: Wikipedia 10th Anniversary
(2011.01.15)
, 18.02 Last Day of Classes
(2010.12.09)
2011.08.26 -
Added writeups for: Relay For Life
(2011.03.09)
2011.08.25 -
Added writeups for: Alchemist's Internal Organs
(2011.02.03)
2011.01.29 -
TARDIS travels through time and space
After appearing at MIT in September 2010, the TARDIS traveled though space to the west coast. It was spotted at both Caltech and Berkeley in January 2011. Although in our timeline it appeared at MIT, Caltech and then Berkeley, who of us can tell in which order the Doctor visited these institutions of high learning?
After appearing at MIT in September 2010, the TARDIS traveled though space to the west coast. It was spotted at both Caltech and Berkeley in January 2011. Although in our timeline it appeared at MIT, Caltech and then Berkeley, who of us can tell in which order the Doctor visited these institutions of high learning?
2010.08.27 -
Added writeups for:
TARDIS on building 7, great dome, and beyond
(2010.08.25)
2010.07.30 -
Added writeups for: Engineered Body Parts Display
(2010.02.07-2010.02.10)
2010.07.27 -
Added writeups for: Upside-Down Lounge appears near the Media Lab
(2010.04.08)
, 6-120 Quantum Physics Last Day of Classes
(2010.05.13)
, Watchmen Banner in Lobby 7
(2009.04.06)
, Galileo 400th Anniversary
(2010.03.16)
, Pluto's Birthday in Lobby 7
(2010.02.18)
2009.05.22 -
Added writeups for: Solar Powered Subway Car on the Great Dome
(2009.04.27)
, Cylon Eye and Ship on W20 for Battlestar Galactica Finale
(2009.03.20)
, Banner for Charles Darwin's Birthday
(2009.02.11)
2009.05.18 -
Added writeups for:
Apollo Lunar Module on the Great Dome
(2009.05.17)
,
Statue of the goddess Athena in Killian Court
(2009.05.18)
2009.05.18 -
Two hacks in Killian Court today
There are currently two hacks visible in Killian Court today: an Apollo Lunar Module on the Great Dome and a large statue of the Greek goddess Athena.
There are currently two hacks visible in Killian Court today: an Apollo Lunar Module on the Great Dome and a large statue of the Greek goddess Athena.
2009.04.17 -
Added writeups for: "Creative People with Words" items appear around campus
(2009.04.16)
2009.02.13 -
Added writeups for: Bed with teddy bear appears in building 10 lounge
(2008.12.17)
2008.10.18 -
Added writeups for: Epiphany Toilet on Building 37
(2008.10.05)
2008.10.01 -
Added writeups for: Mooninite Is Not a Bomb Banner
(2007.04.13)
, NASA Logo on the Dot
(2008.10.01)
2008.09.30 -
Added writeups for: V for Vendetta / Guy Fawkes Day at MIT
(2007.11.5)
, Violation Notices on Hacks
(2008.09.29)
, Trapped in a sign factory, send help!
(2008.07.24)
2008.06.12 -
New Hack Writeups Added
The hack gallery is now up to date as of June 2008. Check out the timeline. If anything is missing, let us know!
The hack gallery is now up to date as of June 2008. Check out the timeline. If anything is missing, let us know!
2008.06.02 -
Added writeups for: Super Smash Bros. Brawl in Lobby 7
(2008.03.09)
, D20 in Killian Court
(2008.03.18)
, Garden in CSAIL for April 1st
(2008.04.01)
, In Case of Zombie Attack, Break Glass
(2008.04.10)
, Media Test Wall Rickroll
(2008.04.10)
, I Will Hate This F***ing Place
(2008.04.10)
, UFO crashes into Stata
(2008.04.13)
, DTYD Bomber in lobby 7
(2008.04.18)
, Do not hack.
(2008.05.17)
2008.06.01 -
Added writeups for: W20 Christmas Tree
(2007.12.18)
, Ben Franklin's Birthday
(2008.01.17)
, Stargate in E19
(2008.01.24)
, Memorial to Sir Arthur Peckington
(2008.02.xx)
, Random Hall celebrates its birthday
(2008.02.29)
2008.05.31 -
Added writeups for: 6.001 Last Lecture
(2007.12.15)
2007.12.29 -
Added writeups for: Banner mocking Larry Summers' comments on Women in Science at Harvard
(2005.03.xx)
,
Sunken pirate ship and tombstones honor demise of Course 13 (Ocean Engineering)
(2005.01.31)
, Techstasy hack issue of student run newspaper The Tech
(2001.05.23)
, The Toke hack issue of student-run newspaper The Tech
(2000.12.13)
, The Boston Glob hack issue of local newspaper
(2000.05.11)
, Hackers drop beavers at Harvard-Yale Game
(2000.11.18)
2007.12.29 -
26 New Hack Writeups Added
26 new hack writeups have been added to the gallery for hacks between 2000 and 2007 in the last several days. Check out the timeline.
26 new hack writeups have been added to the gallery for hacks between 2000 and 2007 in the last several days. Check out the timeline.
2007.12.28 -
Added writeups for: Crop Cirlces show on Discovery Channel
(2002.10.10)
, UMOC entries in Lobby 7
(2002.11.13)
, "Institute Historian, T.F. Peterson" in Library of Congress database
(2002.09.09)
, Eigenfish in 18.03
(2002.05.10)
, Tech Talk (hack issue)
(2002.04.17)
2007.12.25 -
Added writeups for: Mario Brothers in Infinite Corridor
(2005.12.14)
, Dollar bill gets President Hockfield's face
(2005.05.06)
, Caltech vs. MIT
(2005.04.09)
, Study on the effect of tinfoil hats on blocking mind control satellites
(2005.02.17)
, Pirate flag and banner on great dome
(2003.10.25)
, Hack issue of MIT/WEllesley student magazine Counterpoint
(2003.09.xx)
, SPODSA New Student Registration
(2003.09.02)
, Rocket disperses flyers over Freshman Picture
(2003.08.26)
, Domes in Mirror
(2003.06.25)
, Cluster keypad artwork
(2003.05.xx)
, Banner drops at acapella concert during CPW
(2005.04.09)
2007.12.24 -
Added writeups for:
Larger-than-life board games around campus
(2007.12.10)
, Radome on 54 and building 10 decorated for Hitchhiker's Guide Movie
(2005.04.29)
, Revolving Campus
(2005.06.04)
2007.10.25 -
Hackers cheer on Boston Red Sox
In recognition of the the Red Sox competing in the 2007 Baseball World Series, hackers put a "GO SOX" banner above the New House dormitory. The Green Building (54) also had its lights turned on and off to spell "SOX" in a tradition known as "Greenspeak"
In recognition of the the Red Sox competing in the 2007 Baseball World Series, hackers put a "GO SOX" banner above the New House dormitory. The Green Building (54) also had its lights turned on and off to spell "SOX" in a tradition known as "Greenspeak"
2007.10.06 -
Added writeups for: Sputnik in Lobby 10
(2007.10.04)
2007.07.21 -
Added writeups for: Dark Mark from Harry Potter over Student Center
(2007.07.21)
2007.07.20 -
Added writeups for:
Broomstick Parking for Harry Potter
(2007.07.20)
2007.07.05 -
Added writeups for:
Red, White, and Blue Dome for Fourth of July
(2007.07.04)
2007.07.04 -
Added writeups for: Teardrop on dollar bill mural
(2005.12.15)
2007.06.21 -
Added writeups for:
Great Dome goes Green
(2007.06.20)
2007.06.13 -
Added writeups for:
I'll Have Thesis Finished Pronto at 2007 Commencement
(2007.06.08)
2007.06.08 -
Hack during 2007 commencement
During the 2007 Commencement ceremony, five white panels dropped down from the front of Killian Hall displaying the words I'll Have Thesis Finished Pronto.
During the 2007 Commencement ceremony, five white panels dropped down from the front of Killian Hall displaying the words I'll Have Thesis Finished Pronto.
2007.06.04 -
Added writeups for:
Building 9 turned into Building 9¾
for Harry Potter movie release
(2005.11.17)
,
Harry Potter's Scar on the Dome
(2005.07.16)
2007.05.20 -
Added writeups for: Yellow cranks around campus
(2007.02.18)
, "Huge Ego" at Harvard-Yale game
(2006.11.18)
2007.05.19 -
Syndicated news feed added to the Gallery
There's now an xml/atom syndication feed of recent gallery news and write-up additions. This is also available through the mit_hacks feed on LiveJournal.
There's now an xml/atom syndication feed of recent gallery news and write-up additions. This is also available through the mit_hacks feed on LiveJournal.
2007.05.17 -
Added writeups for: Gehry Christmas Tree in Stata Center
(2006.12.12-2007.02.xx)
2007.05.16 -
Added writeups for: Large paper airplanes in Lobby 10 and Stata
(2007.04.13-2007.04.15)
, Parody of The Tech distributed by Caltech students
(2007.04.13)
,
Where's Waldo? He's on the Stata Center...
(2006.12.15)
2007.05.14 -
Added writeups for: Playpen balls fall at xkcd lecture
(2007.05.14)
2007.05.12 -
Added writeups for: This sign has been hacked
(2007.04.20)
,
Working traffic light in windows of building E25
(2007.04.15)
2007.05.11 -
Site updates in progress
This site is undergoing significant updates. Some hacks after 1997 are missing write-ups and photos, but we're working on improving this. The timeline from 1997-present should be up-to-date, so please let us know if we're missing anything from it.
This site is undergoing significant updates. Some hacks after 1997 are missing write-ups and photos, but we're working on improving this. The timeline from 1997-present should be up-to-date, so please let us know if we're missing anything from it.
2007.05.09 -
Added writeups for: Tropical Escape
(2004.12.12)
2007.05.08 -
Added writeups for: Amusing No Trespassing signs around campus
(2004.12.20)
2007.05.07 -
Added writeups for: Redsox logo on great dome
(2004.10.29)
, MIT Banner at Harvard Orientation
(2004.09.17)
2007.05.02 -
Added writeups for: Batman symbol on great dome
(2006.04.16)
, Bronzed Toolage
(2004.11.11)
,
Infrared Line at Simmons Hall
(2004.09.30)
2007.05.01 -
Added writeups for: Go Sox!
(2004.10.27)
2007.04.30 -
Added writeups for: Red Sox Greenspeak
(2004.10.21)
, DNC Donkey Banner
(2004.07.26)
,
I Hate The Flag Policy
(2004.02.17)
2007.04.19 -
Added writeups for:
Marriage Proposal Drop Banner in Lobby 7
(2004.05.20)
2007.04.18 -
Added writeups for:
Property Office Sticker on Stata
(2004.05.07)
,
Linux running on internet kiosks in Gates Building
(2004.05.07)
,
Anti-harvard banner at CPW
(2003.04.10)
2007.04.17 -
Added writeups for:
Anti-Harvard banner at PreFrosh Convocation
(2004.04.16)
,
Transparent Horizons describes itself in East
Campus style
(2004.03.03)
, Security vulnerability warnings at Gates talk
(2004.02.26)
,
Spaceman Spiff Crashes into the Small Dome
(2004.02.03)
2007.04.16 -
CPW 2007 hacks
This was another campus preview weekend full of hacks, including a working traffic light in the windows of building E25 as well as a fake issue of The Tech distributed by Caltech.
This was another campus preview weekend full of hacks, including a working traffic light in the windows of building E25 as well as a fake issue of The Tech distributed by Caltech.
2006.11.25 -
Added writeups for:
Peace, Love, and Linux Penguins in Condoms
(2006.04.06)
2006.11.18 -
Legend of Zelda hack on Dome; Hack on Harvard-Yale game
A Triforce from The Legend of Zelda appeared on the Great Dome to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Wii gaming platform. Separately, the scoreboard of the Harvard-Yale game was modified to change the Harvard logo to contain "HUGE EGO".
A Triforce from The Legend of Zelda appeared on the Great Dome to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Wii gaming platform. Separately, the scoreboard of the Harvard-Yale game was modified to change the Harvard logo to contain "HUGE EGO".
2006.09.11 -
Hackers placed a Fire
Truck on the Great Dome.
2006.05.02 -
Added writeups for: "MIT" sign in front of Stata Center changed to read "VOMIT"
(2006.02.09)
2006.04.06 -
Hacks abound during this Campus Preview Weekend! The Caltech Cannon has
appeared on the MIT campus, courtesy of the Howe & Ser
Moving Company. There's also a Linux Tux penguin in the skylight
of the MIT Computer Science center.
2006.02.28 -
A medal from the Torino
2006 Olympics appeared on the Great Dome.
2005.12.31 -
2005 Overview: 2005 saw hacks
including the Mario Brothers invading the Infinite
Corridor, a Harry Potter scar on the Great Dome, the widely
publicized Time Traveller's Convention, celebrations of the
inauguration of President Hockfield as the new MIT President,
various decorations for the Hitchhiker's Guide movie, as
well as many
others. We are working to bring you photos and write-ups of
these and more.
2004.09.15 -
Vannevar
Shrubbery Room at the entrance to 10-105.
2004.09.14 -
The first floor of building 10 has a new room: 10-105.5,
the Vannevar Shrubbery Room. You can find it near the Vannevar
Bush room.
2004.03.03 -
The infamous Transparent Horizons sculpture at East Campus was
modified to describe itself. A photo is coming soon.
2004.02.26 -
Security alerts showed up at a talk on campus by Bill Gates.
Images of the alerts coming soon.
2004.02.17 -
A banner reading "I Hate The Flag Policy" appeared strung between
the roofs of the MacGregor and Simmons dormitories -- across
the entire athletic field. Photos will be up shortly...
2003.12.17 -
There's
a Wright Brother's flyer on the Great Dome!. Some pictures
are up now and more will be coming soon...
2003.12.17 -
Wright
Flyer on the Great Dome celebrates 100 years of flight
2003.10.25 -
This morning, a pirate flag (with a Beaver's skull and
cross-slide-rule) appeared on the Great Dome along with a banner
reading "Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Jolt". Photos will be posted
shortly.
2003.07.02 -
Added writeup for April IHTFP
balloons.
2003.07.02 -
Added writeup and photos for IHTFP
Balloons
2003.06.20 -
Make
Way for Cruftlings: A line of monitors follows its leader
across lobby 7. Writeup now available.
2003.06.20 -
Make
Way for Cruftlings in Lobby 7
2003.05.11 -
Mother's Day! A heart with
"MOM" in it appeared on the Great Dome. Photos will be
available shortly.
2003.05.11 -
Mom on the
Dome for Mother's day.
2003.05.10 -
Added writeups for: Alphabet
Blocks in Lobby 7, Post-It
picture on List Center Media Test Wall
2003.05.10 -
Added writeups for: Alphabet
Blocks in Lobby 7, Post-It
picture on List Center Media Test Wall
2003.04.23 -
Hundreds
of gnomes of various sizes and appearances have invaded and
infested the W20-575 Athena cluster in the MIT student center.
2003.04.23 -
Hundreds of gnomes
invaded the Student Center Athena cluster
2003.03.xx -
A new book on hacks from MIT press is now available: Nightwork:
A History of Hacks and Pranks at MIT.
2003.02.22 -
Added writeups for: Waffle
House banner on Simmons Hall; Geeks
Crossing sign on Memorial Drive ; Axes of
Evil in Lobby 7
2003.02.20 -
MIT Black
Morbid Fling Together parodied real match-making services on
Valentine's Day.
Also, hackers hung a Welcome to the Academy banner from the Student Center.
Also, hackers hung a Welcome to the Academy banner from the Student Center.
2003.02.19 -
Welcome
to the Academy banner hung from Student Center
2003.02.14 -
MIT Black
Morbid Fling Together parody
2003.01.30 -
Robots turned out to call
for Robot Rights and protest the 6.270 Robot Competition.
2003.01.30 -
Robots staged a Robot
Rights protest prior to the 6.270 competition
2002.12.18 -
The Eye of Sauron
appeared in the Lobby 7 skylight, corresponding with the opening
of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
2002.12.18 -
Eye
of Sauron in Lobby 7 skylight
2002.10.10 -
The Discovery Channel is airing a documentary this week on MIT
students creating a crop circle. More
information is available from the News Office.
2002.04.17 -
Readers of MIT's official publication, Tech Talk, sported
confused looks before noticing that this week's issue is a
hack. Highlights: Simmons Hall delayed indefinitely; students to
be housed in tents.
2002.04.02 -
Added Wheel
of Tuition in Lobby 7 skylight.
2002.02.04 -
A Wheel of Tuition
appeared today in the newly-renovated Lobby 7 skylight, but had
been taken down by shortly after noon.
2002.01.19 -
One
Ring To Rule The Dome, Toy
Story aliens invade a vending machine, and Paper
dolls in Lobby 7 skylight.
2001.12.17 -
A "gold" ring with Elvish
script appeared on the Great Dome, in anticipation of the
Lord of the Rings movie. Photos and write-up are now
available.
2001.10.31 -
R2D2 made a visit to Lobby 10 for Halloween. On closer inspection,
the life-sized droid was constructed from a discarded NMR magnet.
2001.10.19 -
Performance hackers dressed in biohazard suits searched the
Student Center for anthrax.
2001.09.17 -
The week after the terrorist attacks, a giant American flag flew
below the Dome. Photo and writeup
now available.
2001.08.25 -
The end of Rush as we know it. On Saturday, August 25, 2001,
a number of hacks celebrated the last-ever Killian Kickoff and
mourned the passing of Rush. A massive carved inscription reading "So
long, and thanks for all the frosh" appeared on the face of
Building 10 overnight. Also, hackers paraded into Killian Court
before the start of Rush, bearing a giant gravestone marked "RIP
Rush." The fake fraternity Gamma Alpha Gamma also made an
appearance at Killian Kickoff, as well as various other Rush
locations. Writeup coming soon.
2001.08.25 -
Writeups for two Killian Kickoff hacks: the inscription on the face of Building
10 and the gravestone for
Rush.
2001.06.08 -
During the Commencement ceremony on Friday, June 8, 2001, a large
balloon floated over Killian Court and dropped parachuting beavers
over the graduates.
2001.05.22 -
The Great Dome seems to have cracked under a giant weight, labeled
"48 Units" (a full MIT courseload). Writeup and photos now
available.
2001.05.21 -
"Outlook hazy" - The radar dome of the Green Building was
turned into a "magic pi
ball" on May 21, 2001, perhaps to help students predict the
outcome of this week's finals. Writeup and photo now
available.
2001.05.11 -
"So Long, and Thanks for All the Wit" - A banner honoring Douglas Adams,
who passed away on May 11, 2001, appeared above Killian Court in the
early hours of Thursday, May 17. The author's books, including "The
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", are cult classics at MIT and around
the world.
2001.05.01 -
Writeups added for the finals week hacks: the Tech dinghy in Chapel
moat, the Magic Pi
Ball, and the weight on the
Great Dome.
2001.03.25 -
Many of you have been holding your breath for us to provide pictures
and information on hacks that have happened over the last couple of
years. You may now breathe again....
...hello?....hello?.....hrm....
...hello?....hello?.....hrm....
- Squanch in 2-4-6
- Talking Elevator in W20
- Wile E. Coyote smashes into Roach Library Wall
- Bring Out Your Dead
- Santa Delivers Coal for John Harvard in Walker Memorial
- Institoot, hack issue of Institvte
- Monolith Excavation in Lobby 7
- Aero-Astro Estates
- Talking Elevators in W20
- Monolith for Class of 2001 Freshman Picture
- Techtanic
- E40: Place Bridge Here
- Neil Armstrong/Moon Landing
- Spider Web in Lobby 7
2001.03.22 -
A crack (hack?) excavation team uncovered a large black monolith in
Lobby Seven during the early hours of the morning, Friday, March
23rd, 2001. (hmm, there seems to be a theme here... East Campus, Killian Court, Lobby 7....)
Institute workers were quick to remove the site ...no doubt a
cover-up.
2001.03.21 -
The student curators of the MIT Hack Gallery have been busy
tooling on classes and are way behind on keeping these pages up to
date. Past about 1997, there's quite a bit which has happened but
hasn't properly been documented here.
We're making some effort to, at least, get the timeline up to date, so
please let us know if we're missing anything (particularly in the
1997-present timeframe).
2000.04.01 -
There was no hack for April Fool's Day this year, as declared by the
banner on Building 10.
1999.05.17 -
The Great Dome was transformed into R2-D2's top
panel. Coincidentally, Phantom Menace opens on Wednesday
5/19. Photos will be available ASAP. A few pointers to coverage
are now available.
1999.04.6 -
A concrete bunker with an elevator door on it appeared among the
ruins of Building 20 (which was in the process of being torn down).
A panel of lights above the door indicated that an elevator was
moving around between the floors B1 and B5.
1998.05.20 -
A String of Jolt bottles dedicated to "MIT professors who
necessitate extreme caffeination" appeared in Lobby 10.
1998.05.19 -
The words "ALL HAIL PASS/FAIL" appeared in the skylight above Lobby
7. A writeup will be available soon.
1998.05.18 -
A huge "Monopoly[tm]" board
labelled "Aramark featuring Monopoly" appeared hanging above the
central stairwell of the Stratton Student Center. Aramark currently
holds the contract to run all of the dining halls on campus. More
photos will be available shortly.
1998.04.01 -
Hackers changed the main
MIT web page in the spirit of April Fools Day. A snapshot of
the hacked version is being archived here.
1998.03.25 -
This web site has moved to http://hacks.mit.edu/Hacks/.
Please change any bookmarks or links you may have to reflect this
change.
1998.03.24 -
To commemorate the closing of historic Building 20, hackers hung a
large, red "deactivated sticker" on the building.
1998.03.24 -
The lights on the MIT Green Building were turned on and off in the
form of an Oscar[tm], supposedly to celebrate Good Will
Hunting winning an academy award. Reports indicate that the
story was covered on Channel 5. This practice of putting images on
the Green Building in lights is called "greenspeak". A writeup of
this hack is now available here.
1998.011.30 -
Large orange ribbons, symbols of
a student campaign, appeared all over campus. Photos will be
available shortly.
1997.09.xx -
New writeup for Implications of Infinity
Equalling 47.2 Rods.
1997.02.xx -
New writeup for The Sink.
1996.11.xx -
New writeups for Push Core for
New Roll, Do Not Open
Until Christmas 2014 on Building 14 handicapped entrance, ``MIT Card Coming Soon'', ``The Great Wind'', Banners at the Gates Visit, and Foo Bar on July 4th.
1996.10.xx -
New writeups for Housing
2000, Lit Jack-O-Lantern
Hanging in Lobby 7, and The
Great Beanie.
1996.05.xx -
New writeups for Edwin
Phortey/E40 Dedication (1991), MIT Press Pumpkin
(1992), Bronze
Beaver in Killian Court Sidewalk (1995), Shower Stall in Student Center
Athena Cluster, Hackers
Augment Lobby 7 Wheat Field, Smile on Greater and Lesser
Sails, and Al Gore Buzzword
Bingo. New pictures for Harvard Yard Plate (1990) and
Disappearing President's
Office (1990).
1996.04.xx -
New writeups for John
Harvard--Unabomber suspect "You
must be at least this smart to use Athena workstations." signs
on Athena computer clusters, Mickey Mouse clock in Walker
Memorial, Balloons on
Transparent Horizon, and "scrubbing bubbles" on the Media
Lab, "RESNET: Because you can't
masturbate in the clusters" posters in Athena computer clusters,
and Happy
Vector Day. New pictures added to U.S.S. Enterprise
in Lobby 7 and Grumpy
Fuzzball meets Athena.
1996.02.xx -
New hack: "You must be at least
this smart to use Athena workstations." posters on Athena
computer clusters. Improved page for Best of
the IHTFP Hack Gallery.
1996.01.xx -
New writeup for Hacking Series
Committee calendar.
1995.12.xx -
New writeups for Witch's Hat on the
Small Dome and Hartley Roger's
for President. New pictures for Freshman
Picnic, Fire Hose
Drinking Fountain, Cast on John
Harvard, Harvard-Yale End
Zone Banner, and Harvard Yard
Plate.
1995.11.xx -
New hack: Mickey Mouse clock
in Walker Memorial.
1995.10.xx -
New writeups for new hacks: Balloons on
Transparent Horizon, Hacked signs at Kendall
T station, and "Scrubbing Bubbles" on
the Media Lab.
1995.08.xx -
Pictures added to Biohazard
Cafe. New writeups for The beer
shrine, SPODSA
invades Hack Talk, Media Lab Wall
Squares Hack, "Kiss Me, I'm an
Engineer", The
Wreck, Jolt can in
Lobby 7, and IHTFP on Great
Dome.
1995.07.xx -
Added a few additions to the "MicroSoft"
posters. New writeup for Candy Cane Pillars
at 77 Mass. Ave.
1995.05.xx -
Added a picture for the Great
Dome Pumpkin.
1995.03.xx -
New writeups for Anchors Away
(Reprise), Biohazard
Cafe, and "Big Brother
Inside" stickers on card readers.Nick Cartoon with
Fire Hose Drinking Fountain added to the Fire
Hydrant writeup. New pix for Jurassic
Skylight, Holiday Lights
on the Little Dome, University of Michigan
Banner at Pres. Charles Vest's Inaugruation, 1994
Superballs, Hartley Rogers,
Jr. for President and the Student Center
Hairball.
1994.11.xx -
Initial writeups for the "MicroSoft"
posters, Great
Dome Pumpkin [reprise], and "Sport
Death" Protest hacks have been generated. Additionally, an
online blurb for the MIT Museum exhibit Hall of
Hacks is now available.
1994.10.xx -
Initial writeups for the Jurassic
Skylight and Jurassic
Research Labs hacks are now available.
1994.08.xx -
The whole IHTFP Hack Gallery is new! Check here again in a month
or so.
1994.08.31 -
Writeups of the Lobby
7 hack, the Freshman
Picnic hack and the housing
assignments letter hack have been added.
1994.06.25 -
Initial revision of the top-level gallery page.