MIT Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

MIT's Building 20: The Magical Incubator Story, Anecdote, or Reminiscence

Fond Memories

Ira D. Holtzman
holtzman@pop.tiac.net

As a former member of the Tech Model Railroad Club, located on the third floor of Building 20, I remember the Coke machine in the stairwell that charged only a nickel at a time (mid-50's) when most other machines were charging a dime. I also remember the unusual way which we used to enter the building. We would walk behind the building and press a hidden button near the foundation. This would cause a buzzer to activate in the Club's rooms, which would usually result in a club member coming down to the back door to let us in. But most of all, I remember the unique smell of Building 20 and the sound of walking along it's hallways.