Many students on campus believe that the Purdue bell's in the bell tower do not actually ring. They believe it is an electronic recording because if the bells are actually rung then tower will collapse, but that is not true. The myth is derived from the fact that the bells are rung by electronic clappers, not by a person, like in the Heavilon Bell Tower. In the new bell tower an electronic carillon was installed to project recorded songs around campus.
It is interesting to know that there is a time capsule under the bell tower. The time capsule was placed under the bell tower and sealed with a plaque. The capsule will be opened 100 years from when it was closed, so it will be opened in 2095 and give the people of the time a glimpse into the lives of the people in 1995. Seventy items were enclosed in the time capsule which includes: various Purdue publications and souvenirs, reminders of the fundraising efforts for the project, blue prints, a brick from the Heavilon Hall bell tower, and letters from the President of Purdue, Steven C. Beering, and the President of student government Kevin K. Parson.
Presidents letter in the time capsule:
http://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/1990-95/9510.Zawisza.BellTower.html
Presidents letter in the time capsule:
http://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/1990-95/9510.Zawisza.BellTower.html
Purdue has the 10th largest bell tower on a college campus, in the world. The 160 feet tall land mark is the center piece of its West Laff