Why is the image octagon shaped?
The octagon is used as an architectural motif thoughout the Honnold/Mudd Library: • as windows in New Library • as ceiling ornamentation in Special Collection and the Founder’s Room • in the walkway on the North Quad Mazes and Labyrinths People have constructed mazes or labyrinths throughout history. The most famous maze was the maze of the Minotaur, a beast that was half bull, half man. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread that he could unwind to leave a trail as he searched the maze for the monster. After Theseus slew the Minotaur he was able to follow the thread back out of the maze. (For sites with more information about mazes and labyrinths see the bottom of this page.) Why use a maze for Honnold/Mudd? Consider the research process. The researcher begins with questions, and an idea of a path that should lead to the answers. From a starting point the researcher will follow the path which seems most direct. Many paths will prove to be interesting detours, rather than leading direct
