Print: "Festzug der Studirenden des Polytechnikum zu Karlsruhe beim Festcommers zu Ehren des 25jährigen Regierungsjubiläum Seiner Königlichen Hoheit des Großherzogs Friedrich von Baden, 30. April 1877", photographer: Adalbert Uetz, phototype: Schober & Baeckmann, publisher: Verlag des Polytechnischen Vereins Karlsruhe, undated, 47.5 × 30.4 cm. KIT Archives 27084/18.
The tradition of parades, processions, and marches dates back to antiquity, to celebrate victories or religious events. Processions celebrating the birthday of a ruler, an anniversary of his accession to the throne, or a wedding were also popular. The prevailing interest in history during the nineteenth century led to a revival of processions in historical costume. This fashion also caught on in Karlsruhe, and on April 30, 1877, a “pageant of the students of the Karlsruhe Polytechnical College” was held during festivities honoring the 25th anniversary of the reign of Grand Duke Friedrich I in Baden. The individual Technical Schools presented themselves with their historical insignia. A commemorative volume of this occasion is illustrated with photographs of groups representing mathematicians, architects, chemists, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and foresters. Karlsruhe Polytechnical College proudly viewed itself within the tradition of earlier researchers, architects, and scientists who had shaped their respective disciplines with their knowledge and discoveries. It simultaneously honored the Grand Duke as the institution’s committed patron. The procession of subjects taught at the Polytechnical College appeared in the following sequence:
Mathematics: Following the banner featuring a globe (of the world), Pythagoras appears, carrying a visual representation of his theorem. Archimedes follows, holding the screw that bears his name. The procession includes several women in Roman and Greek attire, along with men similarly dressed, carrying representations of various Platonic solids. They are followed by a blackboard display of an integral of a root function. Bringing up the rear are gentlemen in orientally inspired robes, and in costumes representing the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Architecture: The train behind the banner begins with a figure — presumably — Vitruvius, accompanied by men carrying a model of a pillared temple entrance in the Doric order. Next comes a group dressed as medieval monks, symbolizing the architects of the great cathedrals, followed by a team of stonemasons bearing a detailed model of the Ulm Minster.
Chemistry: The banner depicting a scale and a distilling apparatus heads a procession of men dressed as medieval monks, representing early alchemists. They are followed by miners carrying a model of a coal mine. Further along, other men are carrying glass flasks, while others are bearing a model of a chemical factory.
Mechanical Engineering: Proceeding behind the banner are groups dressed in costumes from various eras, ranging from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period. They are carrying models of a water wheel, a pump, a cogwheel, and a crane.
Civil Engineering: The banner adorned with symbols of earthworks, building design, and shipbuilding is followed by a model railway complete with a railroad embankment, bridge, steam locomotive, and train. Workers carrying tools for earthworks accompany it. Next come miners dressed in costumes representing various eras, carrying a tunnel model. Finally, bridge builders and shipbuilders bring up the rear of their procession, each presenting their respective models.
Forestry: Young men dressed in traditional forester’s garb display weapons and hunting trophies, including stuffed birds and hares. At the center of the procession one sees a falconer and a dog handler. as