March 21, 2010

A University in Georgia Rolls Out an Old Tradition

Southern Polytechnic State U.

Bathtub races were common occurrences at Southern Polytechnic in days gone by.

By Jill Laster

Southern Polytechnic State University wants to be known as a place for aspiring engineers.

And what better test of engineering prowess than to take a 200-pound cast-iron bathtub, put wheels and brakes on it, and see how fast it'll go?

The Marietta, Ga., university has revived the Southern Polytechnic Bathtub Races after a 20-year break. The races originated in the 1960s, when Greek organizations on the campus filled cast-iron tubs with drinks for fraternity parties. When the