The Furman University Historical Images digital collection is filled with fascinating, but sometimes mysterious photographs related to the University. Take this image as an example. 
When it was uploaded to the Historical Images digital collection, it carried the simple description: “A crane operator inspects his crane during construction of Furman’s new campus.” But if you take a closer look, you’ll notice the crane operator is staring at a wooden box on the top of his machine.
The real story behind the photograph was discovered by Julia Cowart, Furman Library’s Special Collections Assistant. She happened to notice an article in the October 1956 issue of the Furman Magazine titled “The Bluebird and the Crane” featuring this very image.
The Furman Magazine article is reproduced in its entirety below:
The Bluebird and the Crane (Reproduced from the Furman Magazine, October 1956. Page 11).
One of the best human interest stories to come our way recently is that of the bluebird at the New Furman University Campus which insisted on building her nest in the muffler of one of the large cranes being used for construction purposes.
For several weeks the bluebird tried to build a nest, even though the partly completed project was destroyed each day when the crane’s engine was started.
There were several cranes on the New Campus, but only one appealed to the little bird. It was one of the Daniel Construction Company cranes, operated by Louis Carter.
At one time Mr. Carter and his crane left the campus for about three weeks, during which time the little bluebird flew about unwilling to settle for anything less than her favorite mobile home. When Mr. Carter and his crane returned to the campus, the nest appeared in the muffler again. No mere man or machine was going to stop this bluebird!
Finally, her persistence won. Mr. Carter enlisted the aid of a carpenter and soon they had a small bird house ready to mount on the cab of the huge crane. This proved acceptable to the little bird and she was soon building her nest for the last time.
According to latest available information, the project of raising a family of bluebirds atop a noisy screeching crane was accomplished successfully.
This is great! Good find, Julia!