in 1893 the kansas legislature allowed $50,000 to build a new physics and electrical engineering building. the building resembled a french chateau now remembered as "old" blake hall. the next year, the university's library, spooner hall, was finished and opened. it is the oldest free-standing building still at ku. in 1895, the first long distance ship-to-shore message was sent by physics and engineering professor, lucien i. blake. the message was sent using underwater wireless technology.