The College of Engineering coat of arms was unveiled in spring 1934.
At a banquet held in the Hudson’s Bay Dining Room, A.L.C. Atkinson, Instructor in Civil Engineering, explained the meaning of the components of the Coat of Arms. It was reprinted in the Engineering Handbook for decades.
Here is an excerpt:
“The Shield chosen for the College of Engineering has a silver field (i.e. the background in cloth badges is represented by white). On the field are placed two chevrons (inverted Vv) which are divided centrally, the upper one red on the “dexter” side (the wearer’s right side) and black on the sinister side (wearer’s left) and the lower chevron having the colours reversed. The Chevron conveys the idea of unity. In heraldic language the chevron would be blazoned as ‘between three wheels gules,’ gules being the international heraldic term for red. Actually the third wheel is completely hidden by the corner piece called a canton, on which is borne the University Arms as a mark of honour. The wheels, of course, have a general engineering meaning, and do not stand for any branch in particular. The Wreath is of silver and red twisted skeins; the Crest, a beaver, significant of industry, is black. Lastly the Motto ‘Thorough’ is not to be taken as an idle boast, but that we, as Engineers, aim at being thorough.”