... the mortarboard graduation cap is built the way it is?
The mortarboard is a modification of the four-cornered, ecclesiastic biretta worn by cardinals
and bishops. The biretta is an acknowledged symbol of mastership and an appropriate cap for graduates.
For academic purposes, the crown of the cap was enlarged to such an extent that it required some form of
support to keep it from falling down on the face. This support took the form of a square piece of
cardboard. With subsequent modifications the crown became flat and square, like the cardboard, and a
skull cap was fitted underneath.
Of course, the cap is called a mortarboard because it resembles the square board masons use
to carry mortar.
Do you have any questions you've been wondering about?
Let me know, and I'll see what I can do.
