Scientific contribution to the war effort

 The College's most significant contribution to the First World War came from its inventions and scientific advances made throughout the war. Official badges were issued to those engaged in war work. Just a few examples follow:

• J.C. Philip oversaw production of drugs in academic institutions 
• Jocelyn Thorpe set up a drug production line in the Chemistry department 
• Trench warfare under the control of Martha Annie Whiteley who worked on lachrymatory gases; experimental trenches were constructed 
• H. Brereton Baker worked on analysis of poison gases used by Germany, absorbants for gasses and a device for venting carbon monoxide after firing weapons in a pill box development and detection 
• Hilda Judd and Dorothy Haynes of Botany worked on cold storage for foods 
• Entomology Department worked on insecticides 
• Aeronautical training was undertaken by Mechanical Engineering Professor W.E. Dalby 
• Alfred Fowler, Professor of Astrophysics, worked on optics 
• The Metallurgy Bessemer labs worked on Ministry of munitions work 
• Mining Geology undertook oil testing for air ministry 
• The physics department was involved in x-ray research, fuels and engines 
• The Botany team worked on food science including large scale field experiments on wheat, cold storage, plant pathology and tropical hygiene 
• The Biochemistry department investigated adhesives for aircraft 
• The Entomology department worked on insecticides 
• Engineering - Dalby - Admiralty Board of Inventions alternatives to steam engines in warships, diesel engines for submarines munitions manufacture 
• J.T. Irwin from Electrical Engineering developed a giant parabolic reflector at Dover used as an early aircraft detection device 
• Morley Davis from Geology created a one millionth map of Europe
• Percy Boswell worked on glass sands with the Ministry of Munitions 
• Alumni also contributed to the war effort: 
• William Sansome Tucker (RCS 1898-1902) as Major Tucker, was Director of Acoustical Research, Air Defence Experimental Establishment, Biggin Hill. He worked on artillery sound ranging in WW1 and afterwards continued government research on sound, that eventually led to the massive parabolic concrete sound mirrors still standing on the south coast, that would hopefully have detected the approach of enemy bombers. Construction was halted around 1937 when Wimperis set up the Tizard Committee on Radar. 
• William Watson (1868-1919), RCS 1887-1890 and later Professor of Physics. He became Lieutenant Colonel and Director of Central Laboratory of Western Front and died from exposure to poisonous gas from the gas shells he examined.

Technical Optics Course established

The first technical optics course in the world was established in the Imperial Physics Department, developed partly in response to World War I and the need for the development of technical optics in the UK after reliance on German technology until the war.

Founding of Imperial College Boat Club

The Imperial College Boat Club was founded on 12 December 1919, with Charles Bristow beginning a life long association with the Club. The club developed from a union of the three constituent College boat clubs. The Club's first win at the Henley Royal Regatta came in the 1923 Wyfold Challenge Cup.

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Developments for the University of London BSc and the Imperial College Associateships

 A difficulty for students in the 1920s at Imperial was that some of the courses for which they would receive an Associateship from RSM, RCS and C&G were not taught elsewhere in London University and could not count towards the BSc that students had to take besides the Associateship or DIC (Diploma of Membership) of Imperial College. 

These included Aerodynamics and Aeronautical Engineering, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Chemical Technology and Fuel and other specialised branches of Engineering, Entomology, Meteorology, Mining Geology, Oil Technology, Optical Engineering and Technical Optics and Plant Physiology. The outcome in 1925 was that London University agreed to set final examinations in the subjects in which Imperial set its Associateships.

The first student hostel was opened in Beit Quadrangle

The original Students Union building in the north of the quadrangle was designed by Sir Aston Webb and built in 1910-1911.

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Student accommodation was needed as an addition to the social life of Imperial and so plans for a student hostel were drawn up. The UGC gave a substantial sum, supplemented by personal generosity of governors and some City Livery Companies. 

In April 1926, the hostel opened with accommodation for 49 students and a warden. During the 1926-1927 session the Hostel places were taken by 20 C&G students, 15 RSM students and 14 RCS students. 

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Living in hall as opposed to living in digs had such an appeal that a waiting list for places swiftly developed. Seeing this as an opportunity to improve facilities for the Union and Botany, the Governing Body launched an Extension Scheme, and a Fund set up for donations. The extension plan was for two new storeys to the Union building, one storey to accommodate 27 more hostel bed-sitting rooms with a wardens flat, the top storey to contain modern kitchen and dining facilites for 400, thus freeing the current dining space for social purposes. 

An article in Phoenix on the twenty-first anniversary of the union describes the accommodation, and notes that there was a reading room for women students as they were excluded from the bar

First film footage

The first recorded film footage of activities at Imperial College London was made at Morphy Day in 1928. Watch the recording here, including film of rowing at Putney and Sports Day at Chelsea Football ground.

Boanerges becomes the official mascot of the City & Guilds College Union after being bought for £40 in 1933

 Boanerges, or Bo’, is the official mascot of the City & Guilds College Union and is run by the City & Guilds Motor Club. The present Bo’ has been owned by the City and Guilds College since 1933 and has been maintained by students ever since. 

The first Boanerges was a 1908 Rover which took part in several Brighton runs during The first Boanerges was a 1908 Rover which took part in several Brighton runs during the realise that he shouldn't really take part because he was too young and he no longer became eligible for the run. The story of the first Boanerges' disposal is an amusing anecdote in the history of the college. He was driven to Downing Street (Ramsay Macdonald was Prime Minister), the gearboxes were promptly filled with gravel, and a well dressed dummy with a biscuit in his hand was left in the passenger seat. This was a protest against the recent knighthood of the chairman of a leading biscuit manufacturer. Apparently, the police had considerable difficulty in moving the car and so the Guilds students had proved their point. 

The first Boanerges was never seen again although it was becoming uneconomical to keep the car running and in a satisfactory condition. After this event, a search was begun for a pre-1904 veteran which would be eligible for future Brighton runs. 3 enterprising Guilds students found a suitable car and the current Bo' was purchased for £40 in 1933.

Since coming to the College, Bo’ has taken part in nearly every Brighton run for the last 65 years, and finished most of them.