The Sweet, Purple-Smelling Days of Illinois Schooling

A scent has the unique ability to immediately take you back to your childhood days. During our Illinois school years in the 1960s and 1970s, the most memorable classroom smell originated from the mimeograph machine rather than the lunchroom or playground. I remember being in grade school, Ellen Stiles in Rockford being sent to the office to make copies, and that wonderful smell. 

That Iconic Purple Ink
Prior to the widespread use of photocopiers and laser printers in educational institutions teachers duplicated worksheets, tests and permission slips using mimeograph machines. Students who attended school during that time period would likely recall the distinctive purple ink produced by mimeograph machines. The text had a somewhat blurry appearance on the page which reminded one of ghostly images yet we found it acceptable. Students and teachers treated the arrival of mimeo handouts as a small celebration because they were so rare and special.

To duplicate papers with a mimeograph one started by creating a typed stencil which was then placed on the machine drum to manually produce copies. Many schools obtained electric mimeograph machines yet numerous teachers preferred to manually operate the handle. The rhythmic clunks from the teacher’s lounge or copy room marked when the day’s assignments were being printed.

The Sniff Test
Here's where the nostalgia starts to hit home. The scent of freshly mimeographed paper provided an unusual satisfaction. The alcohol-based ink produced a slightly sweet chemical scent which made every student raise the page to their nose for an exaggerated sniff.

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TAKE A MAGICAL 1975 ROAD TRIP TO STORY BOOK GARDENS

We all sniffed freshly printed mimeographed papers even though this behavior seems odd now. Students would receive stacks from their teachers and naturally sniff the sheets before examining the content. It was part of the ritual. We found humor in our classmates performing the same action while we looked around the room. Looking back we realize this habit wasn't particularly healthy but it became a lasting memory for us.

More Than Just Copies
Mimeographs weren’t just about paperwork. The mimeograph became integrated into the school day’s daily rhythm. The mimeographs created morning excitement for students as they pondered what type of worksheet would appear today. A math quiz? A coloring page? A riddle to solve?

The mimeograph served as an unrecognized champion of the classroom environment. Despite being messy and sometimes unpleasant-smelling while often behaving unpredictably, the mimeograph reliably completed its tasks. The mimeograph machine left behind both purple ink stains and cherished memories that continue to resonate today.

Whenever you detect an aroma similar to both rubbing alcohol and ink take a pause. A whiff of rubbing alcohol and ink may transport you back to your Illinois classroom in 1973 where you examined your math worksheet with a big smile.