The power of the orb… this is my fight song.

Seeing all the seniors taking graduation pictures on the sundial, I’ve been thinking a lot about what used to be on the sundial: the sunball (pictured below).

I was first made aware of this by some nerd, and have since done a deep dive into the magical world of the sunball.

For those who are unaware, the sunball was part of the original sundial, and was a gift from the Class of 1885. It was installed in 1910 as part of the new McKim, Mead, & White campus (shoutout Professor Higonnet for teaching me about those divas). This orb was the part of the statue that allowed you to tell the time. Apparently this is called a gnomon, which sounds weird. It was chosen after two other spheres had cracks, and was sourced from a quarry in Vermont. The sunball weighed 16 tons and was dark green.

Over time however, the sunball deteriorated. A crack was discovered on the orb in 1933, and in 1946, had grown to the extent that the sphere was threatening to fall apart. The university tried their best to save the sunball by inserting rods and a band into it, then even adding a fence around it, and ultimately removed it at the end of the year.

My favorite aspect of the sunball’s history is that it was initially thought to be destroyed and scrapped in the Bronx, but was later rediscovered in a field in Ann Arbor. Apparently it was given to the owner by an affiliate of the University.

Personally, I think we need to restore the orb. Columbia needs to be in the news for something fun for once, plus it just looks cool. If Columbia admin is reading this: I don’t mind if we get the old sunball or find a new one. I’m not picky.

Haters of the sunball might tell you that the sundial is more important as a platform for free speech, but to that I say: just stand next to it (it’s not that hard).

Sunballheads, now is our time to band together and fight for what we believe in. If you’re not with us, you’re against us. Bring back the orb.

Images via Columbia Libraries Blog