Published in 1919, Eastern Illinois University's first yearbook was called The W'apper. The name of the yearbook was derived from an old English word-whopan-meaning to threaten. During 1500 to 1600, English schoolmasters were also referred to as w'appers.
"The motto of Winchester College, England, which we have accepted as the motto of this book, freely translated means, work, walk, or be whopped," according to the 1913 W'apper.
Only one issue of The W'apper was published. After 1913, a yearbook at Eastern was not published until 1919. In 1919, the yearbook was revived and called The Warbler. The book was named after the warbler bird, which flourished on Eastern's campus earlier in the century.
Since its publication in 1919, The Warbler has seen many changes over the years to adapt to the times.
In 1959, color was added to The Warbler, but after 1965, color and number of pages fluctuated year to year. In 1968, The Warbler was the largest, most expensive, and most colorful yearbook in Eastern's history.
After the 1968 book, the budget was in deficit so more changes were implemented. The Daily Eastern News and The Warbler combined photography and business staffs and color was only used sparingly, which is the general practice of the yearbook today.
Starting with the 2005-2006 yearbook, the book will have a color section at the beginning, and there will be color on the cover for the first time in at least three to five years.
Beginning with the 2009-2010 yearbook, "Colorize," The Warbler was printed entirely in color. The 2010-2011 yearbook, "Capture," was the first Warbler to be printed as a horizontal book. This was continued in the most recent book, "Undefined," and will also be the look of The Warbler that is currently being worked on.
Eastern Illinois 1913 yearbook, the Wapper.
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