S.G. Smith Memorial Medal

The Textile Institute created the S.G. Smith Memorial Medal in 1963 in honor of  S.G. Smith, who studied the physical and chemical properties of silk at the Shirley Institute.  The medal was awarded annually for a number of years.

Reverse side and close-up

Latin: All human things hang by a slender thread

Full quote: Omnia sunt hominum tenui pendentia filo: Et subito casu, quæ valuere, ruunt.
All human things hang on a slender thread: the strongest fall with a sudden crash.

 

Courtesy Bill Oxenham, NCSU COT
Images courtesy of the Family of John A. Cuculo, award winner in 1996.