High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Numerous Georgia Tech legends and traditions have been established since the school`s opening in 1888, some of which have persisted for decades. Over time, the school has grown from a trade school into a large research university, and the traditions reflect that heritage. One of the cherished holdovers from Tech`s early years, a steam whistle blows five minutes before the hour, every hour from 7:55 am to 5:55 pm. It`s for this reason that the faculty newspaper is named The Whistle.