Morehouse College Relay Torch

Project Background

Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Atlanta, GA that was established in 1867. In continuing their longstanding educational partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse commissioned a special commemorative torch that was designed and fabricated by an interdisciplinary team of students from Georgia Tech, with support from Morehouse students.

A picture of Graves Hall at Morehouse College, with the memorial and tomb of Dr. Benjamin Mays and his wife Sadie in the foreground.
A photo of several oil portraits in the Hall of Honor inside the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel.

Relay torches are generally created by dedicated companies over a two year development cycle.

This project made do with four students and a single semester.

Design Goals

  1. Aesthetically reflect the values, personality, and spiritual journey of Morehouse College.

  2. Survive a 150 mile run from Augusta to Atlanta while maintaining the original flame.

  3. Carry and protect an action camera capable of live-streaming content.

  4. Contain a GPS tracker for accurate torch location.

  5. Look at home in the hand of the bearer and/or in a custom stand commemorating the occasion.

  6. Build 5 identical systems.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics for the Morehouse Torch were devised through a combination of imagery on the campus, as well as imagery that represented the traits of the Morehouse Man - the paragon of responsibility, intelligence, and leadership to which all graduates are held. I captured my moodboard by using a mixture of Pinterest inspirations and images I took myself. Full moodboard: https://www.pinterest.com/vgspencer/morehouse-college-torch-aesthetic-inspiration/

A closeup image of a piece of metal with a tightly packed array of punched out flaps.
An image of a bunch of vertically oriented edges, with sharp 30 degree overhangs.
A close-up of a an artisan painting lines on Adinkra fabric.
A pattern of concrete blocks rising from downward sloping concrete surface. Each block is bisected along its main diagonal.

Form Development

A collage of thumbnail concept sketches of a torch.
A collage of concept sketches with a runner holding a torch aloft.
Two images with a runner viewed from the side and from the front as he holds a torch aloft.
An arrangement of low-fidelity prototypes made of insulation foam, hot glue, and tape.
An arrangement of laser cut, chipboard prototypes showcasing different design options for the torch in a row
An overhead view of all torch prototypes - from foam to metal builds - arranged in a circle.

An Unlikely Inspiration

The gyroscope subassembly was used to stabilize the flame and the fuel source during the relay. Because the team lacked the time to develop the liquid-gas most commonly seen in Olympic Torches, the flame was fueled by a gel similar to those found in catering canisters. Based on the popular anti-spill baby bowl design, the gyro successfully contained the fuel source and prevented splashes or other failures.

A gif of a human hand manipulating a "no spill" child's bowl, and then manipulating a metal bowl within two rings that behaves in a similar way.

Final Fabrication

Everyone on the team came together to assist with fabrication. Not only did we construct the torches themselves, we also developed an ecosystem to support the torches for the planned relay logistics.

Parts for the gyroscope assembly were made by the Machining Mall, and the torch bodies were powder coated at Snyder Cycles. We also purchased custom enamel medallions sporting the 150th Anniversary logo. Aside from that, everything was fabricated and tested at the Invention Studio at Georgia Tech, utilizing our waterjet and sheet metal tools.

An image of two men preparing chemicals in the process of assembling the torches, while a third person fiddles with components in the background.
A hero image that showcases the final design of the torch in the stand on the right, while summarizing features and statistics in labels on just to the left.
A hero image of a silver colored torch with vibrant red accents seated in a ceremonial base. A medallion and the dedication texts on the base are visible.
An artfully arranged image of the torch, where it is leaning on the base for support. The camera can see supporting foam, a camera lens, and the medallion in high detail.
A determined man carrying the torch runs towards the camera, while three younger men run follow him. The young man in the center pumps his arm above his head while running.