massachusetts institute of technology today's spotlight about
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The iconic MIT home page Spotlight features a daily-changing image and design that focuses on advances in research, technology and education taking place at the Institute. Though some Spotlights do run multiple days - for example Friday's spot usually runs through the weekend, we work very hard to maintain the daily-changing tradition. We've combed our servers and have compiled a digital archive of the Institute home page through the years - well over 2000 images. Enjoy!
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Medieval mashupsToday’s Spotlight uses public domain images from “The Canterbury Tales” and other Medieval texts in a photo‑illustration by Christine Daniloff/MIT.

Today we constantly switch from one text to another: news, blogs, email, workplace documents and more. But a new book by an MIT professor reveals that this is not a new practice: In the 14th century, for instance, many people maintained eclectic reading habits, consuming diverse texts in daily life.

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The MIT home page Spotlight showcases the research, technology and education advances taking place at the Institute every day.

What makes it as a Spotlight image is an editorial decision by the MIT News Office based on factors that include timeliness, promotion of MIT's mission, the balance of interest to both internal and external audiences, and appropriateness.

We do welcome ideas and submissions for spotlights from community members, but please note we are not able to accommodate all requests. We are unable to run event previews or promotions as spotlights; for those looking to promote an event, we are happy to include your listing as an event headline on the homepage (when space is available) and you are free to submit an Of Note to the MIT News office. For more information, e-mail the spotlight team.

Request a Spotlight, Of Note or Event Headline, here.
Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

Today’s Spotlight uses images of MIT Facilities staff members, taken by Allegra Boverman. (Photo of Pearl Bennett taken by Felix DeLeon/MIT).

Staff members include, in order of appearance: Kenny Callender, Mail Processor B, 41 years at MIT; Treva Sheets, Custodian, 10 years; Antonio Rebelo, Maintenance Mechanic, 24 years; Darren Mini, Electrician, 4 years; Gregory DeVincent, Electrician, 6 years; Man “Tommy” Cheuk Wong, Custodian, 10 years; Karen Semerjian, Customer Service Coordinator, 10 years; David Shawles, Customer Service Coordinator, 6 years; Marty O’Brien, Manager Mail Services and Customer Service Center, 11 years; Richard Lemme, 3rd Class Engineer, 13 years; Bruce Gibbs, 2nd Class Engineer, 4 years; Joseph Damaso, Custodian, 16 years; Pearl Bennett, Machine Operator Custodian, 17 years.

From the MIT Facilities website: “Facilities staff are always here supporting the Institute. Twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week. Through rain and especially snow, our staff carries on so that the MIT community can move forward. Whether we’re repairing aging systems or breaking ground on a new research building, our staff solve problems and keep the Institute working.”

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