Carnegie Mellon University
February 17, 2020

Then and Now: 100 Years of Buggy

1946 — 1970

Jason Maderer
  • Marketing and Communications
  • 412-268-1151

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Buggy, officially known as "Sweepstakes," at Carnegie Mellon University. Since 1920, student teams have organized to compete in the annual student-led relay race. In the build up to the centennial celebration April 16-18, the Buggy Alumni Association has been taking an in-depth look at Buggy's unique history

A selection of photographs, broken up into 25-year periods that will be published leading up to Buggy 100, presents the human story of buggy, connecting the event's modern legacy with its origins.  They beg the question, "What will Buggy look like in another 100 years?" 

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At left: Kappa Sigma's Buggy in 1947. At right: A Buggy design competition in 1948.
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Alpha Tau Omega's Buggy in1949.
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Kappa Sigma's silver Buggy with side view mirrors in 1950.
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At left: A design competition in 1950. At right: Sigma Nu's two-wheeled Buggy in 1954.
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In 1956, Sigma Nu, at left, and Kappa Sigma make the first transition during a preliminary race.
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Beta Theta Pi's Buggy gets adjusted in 1963.
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The starting line of a preliminary heat in 1964.
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At left: The first transition in preliminary heat 1 in 1964. At right: Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Maroon (bike) is pushed to a second place finish in 1964. 
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At left: Sigma Nu's Lizard in 1964. Center: Beta Theta Pi's Papier-mache 000 in 1965. At Right: A view of Hill 1 from Margaret Morrison Hall in 1966.
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Sigma Nu's Hornet leads with Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Arnold in close pursuit at Hill 5 of the 6th preliminary heat in 1970.

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