HACKED
overview
 user experience
design
implementation
evaluation
about


HACKED:

  1. adv. pranked by MIT students (hackers) to celebrate or draw attention to an event, anniversary, or whim. Commonly implies technical prowess, stealthy activity, anonymity, and ethical conduct.
  2. n. set of heat sensitive mugs that reveal MIT hacks when hot liquid is poured into them.

The HACKED mug series celebrates MIT and its culture through hacking an everyday object - your mug. The mugs feature an ordinary MIT symbol at first, but as you fill your mug up with hot liquid, the mug transforms to reveal an MIT hack! The mug uses heat sensitive dye to achieve this.

See the hacks below. Mouse over the image to reveal the design on the mug with hot liquid in it.


Nerd Crossing Hack



In 1987, hackers modified the crossing sign direction students across 77 massachusetts avenue. The “nerd crossing” sign was modified to reflect its pedestrians, sporting a backpack, electrical kit, and floppy disk.
[top]



Police Car Hack



Daybreak on an April morning in 1994 unveiled a campus police car perched on top of the great dome, complete with working lights, mannequin cop, and donuts. The hack received extensive local and international media attention and is one of the best known hacks of all time.
[top]



Caltech Cannon Hack



In 2006, Caltech’s cannon appeared on MIT’s campus sporting a 24 karat gold-plated Brass Rat, allegedly transported by a “Howe and Ser Moving Company”. The cannon was eventually rescued by Caltech students and transported back to California.
[top]



Star Wars Hack



In April 1999, to commemorate the end of the term and the release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, hackers transformed the great dome into R2D2. Because of the quality of the hack, MIT agreed to let it stand for three days, although imminent weather forced an early disassembly.
[top]



Red Sox Greenspeak Hack



During the first two games of 2004 World Series, Red Sox fans persuaded fellow students to strategically close or open their blinds to spell “SOX” in the lighted windows of the Green building. After winning both games, the Red Sox went on to win their first World Series in 86 years.

[top]