MIT Family Weekend (1989): “Footprints in the Rock” and “The 2.70 Introduction to Design Contest”

MIT Family Weekend (Oct. 21, 1989), featuring speakers Phillip Morrison, Phyllis Morrison, Paul E. Gray and Harry West. In the first presentation, titled “Footprints in the Rock”, Philip and Phyllis Morrison demonstrate the essence of scientific inquiry through a detailed account of how the Olduvai Gorge hominid footprints were discovered, and how careful methods of interpretation brought out their full meaning and significance. The Morrisons emphasize how in science the process of discovery and understanding is just as important to comprehend as the results themselves. The second speaker, Professor Harry West, gives an introduction to the 2.70 design contest. West came to MIT as a Kennedy Fellow; his research focuses on the design of robotics and kinetics. The event Includes presenters Bill Hecht, and introductory speakers Paul and Priscilla Gray.