Imperial has an age-old tradition of mascotry, symbolising its spirit and character. Mascots are either ‘inviolate’ (they can’t be stolen) or ‘violate’ (they can be swiped and then held for ransom). The kidnapping of mascots is a game of skill, cunning and opportunity played by the various students’ unions to raise money for well-deserving, student-run charities (RAG). Imperial College Union President 2011–12, Scott Heath, described it as “an adults’ game of hide and seek”. Those caught attempting to steal have faced retaliation, such as being covered in motor oil, wood chips and a can of lasagne, before being set free. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Feel free to share your personal tales of the mascots with us — we’ve set the website up so you can comment all you like on each mascot’s history page — and we might print the best tale in the next issue of Imperial magazine.

Mascots

The Imperial Mascots

✷ DISCLAIMER: Stringent attempts were made to verify the facts and we did our best, honest. But it proved harder than finding a black cat in a coal cellar, as over 70 years of Felix archives and countless personal interviews proved finding the real answer was not always possible. Dates were contradicted, facts were embellished, and truths were half-baked — but we stand by the motto of never letting the truth get in the way of a good story for this one, folks.