Heat Wave Chronicle

During February and March 1940 a severe heat wave made daily life at Concordia close to unbearable, yet also very memorable. Comments in the Brown and Gold magazine record the experiences of students at a time when there was no air-conditioning and fans were considered an unnecessary luxury.

‘The Concordian divested himself of coat and tie and sought relief beneath the shadow of the old palm tree. Lying there he idly contemplated the possibility of being excused from work, and discussed with fellow students in distress the desirability of installing electric fans in all classrooms, studies and dormitories.  But he concludes that these are Utopian schemings. Dinner time brought with it a sight unprecedented in the history of Concordia – fifty students in the dining hall without a coat between them. The old rule regarding attire in the dining hall had been relaxed temporarily.’

On March 9^th, with a temperature of 110 degrees, cricket still went ahead. Teams and spectators drank six gallons of raspberry cordial. The following day compulsory study time was cancelled by order of the faculty. Permission was also granted for beds to be taken to the lawn or to the turf court so that boys could spend the night under the stars.
On Monday the tuck-shop broke all records with the sale of cool drinks and ice blocks; and by Tuesday those classrooms most affected by the heat were abandoned. Lessons took place on the lawns and cricket practice was replaced by a trip to the beach.

The photos show the outdoor sleeping arrangements.