Flash from the Past

We Asked for Your Help in Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ties
— Here Is What You Had to Say

We asked if anyone could tell what year this photo was made, perhaps by the haircuts and the fact that the students are wearing ties.

We knew the tie-wearing eliminated the ’70s. It got us to wondering approximately what year the majority of Engineering students stopped wearing ties to class. We know we could head over to D.H. Hill Library and look through old Agromecks, but asking you was so much more interesting.

Thanks to everyone for writing. We heard reports from 1950 to the present, but no one admits to tie-wearing!

So who are the guys in this picture, and when was it taken? The mystery lives on.

Here are your comments:

We didn't wear ties to class then, but veterans did not think too much of dress codes and such at that time. We did dress up when on dates and going to dances. Most ties, I remember were of somber color, as were our clothes except for the rented tucks!

William E, Prevatt (BS Engr. Gen.,'50)

I graduated from NCS in the class of '55 in ceramic engineering. Ties were gone away by then -- I don't remember seeing any on campus, except on ROTC drill days. But -- everyone was toting a K&E slide rule in a golden leather case on his belt. I say "his" because there was only one girl in my class in engineering school.

Henry Croom ('55)

I attended N.C. State College from 1957-1961. Neckties were a rarity. In 1960, the Student Government, in an attempt to bring some class to the student body, designated Friday as "Tie Day." In order to demonstrate their disdain for such pretentiousness, most students wore their ties with their grungiest T-shirts on the first Tie Day. Needless to say, Tie Day never caught on.

Bill Sessoms (ME '61)

I graduated in Nuclear Engineering in 1961. During my years at State we did not wear ties to class.

William Bailey (NE '61)

People, Let's not get carried away here. NOBODY wore a tie on campus, except the seniors who had a job interview immediately before or after class.

Ed Baxter (BSEE '63)

Well, I started in the fall of 1960 and finished in 1964, but I don't remember anyone wearing ties to class on a regular basis -- I know I didn't! And I'm afraid I don't recognize anyone. Sorry!

Bill Sides (BSCE '64)

The photo must have been made before 1966. I entered NSCU as a freshman in Electrical Engineering in 1966, and I don't remember anyone wearing a tie. The clothing for men was very casual. There was even some speculation among the faculty that the presence of 5 women engineering students in the freshman class might encourage the male students to pay a little more attention to their attire! Of course, the women had to wear dresses or skirts. Thank goodness for the new fashion that started in the late '70s -- the pantsuit.

Regards,

Elizabeth Jane Weant Cornelius (BSEE '70)

I started at NC State in 1966 in Chemical Engineering and don't remember many students wearing ties. You will also notice no women in the picture so the picture couldn't be much past the mid-1960s.

Johnnie L. Pearson (BSChE '70, NSChE '79)

If this picture is from the 1960's, it's definitely from the very early '60's. By the time I arrived on campus in 1967, there was no sign of ties except for the ones that were part of ROTC uniforms. In fact, ROTC guys were about the only ones that didn't have hair over their collars. I think it's more likely the picture is from the 1950's.

James N. Alexander, EE '71

I did my undergraduate at State from '70-'74, and there were few if any ties being worn, so this will at least eliminate this date forward. I do remember wearing new tennis shoes on my first day, though, and trying to 'scuff' them up a little in the registration line so I wouldn't look like a dork (as if that one thing would do it!).

Richard Brandon ('74, '88)