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Spring 2022

A 1936 master’s thesis by Claude Shannon helped ignite modern computing. The Detroit Observatory emerges as a proving ground where women fought for the right to study the stars. And records from the 1913 Upper Peninsula copper strike reveal competing perspectives on a violent, tragic conflict.

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Selected Stories

A selection of stories of this issue. Please download PDF to read all content.

The Elegant Philosophy of Ones and Zeros

by Robert Havey

A 1936 master’s thesis written by Claude Shannon changed the computing world overnight. Collections from the Bentley archive show how the genius idea grew from a revamped engineering campus and one elective class.

The Past Speaks in Two Voices

by Terrence J. McDonald, Director

One voice says, “Things were different here”; the other voice says, “The origins of the present will be found here.” Both are actually true.

Writing Belle

by Lara Zielin

The now-famous librarian to J.P. Morgan wrote often to the director of U-M’s library. Their correspondence reveals mutual respect, admiration—and benefit.

Sing to the Colors

by Lara Zielin

For nearly 20 years, James Tobin has been writing about the University’s history. We sat down with him to talk about research, collections, and even finding love at the library.

The Pride of Michigan

by Katie Vloet

A historian and an artist team up to create a comic book celebrating Michigan’s first-ever Pride celebration.

Exclusion Did Not Deter Her

by Brian Williams

Jean Fairfax's story emerges as part of the Bentley's new long-term project on this history of African Americans at the University of Michigan.

Reaching for the Stars

by Katie Vloet

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, women fought to study the stars just like their male colleagues. The Detroit Observatory was training ground for four unparalleled women astronomers.

The Copper Line

by Lara Zielin

After copper miners went on strike in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1913, violence wasn’t far behind. Documents at the Bentley reveal multiple sides of a terrible conflict.