Time capsules are fascinating. Whether historical, cultural or futuristic, their ability to capture the spirit of an era to transmit it to future generations makes them objects of fascination. Moreover, the concept seems to have crossed humanity as it will cross time. Thus, the first mentions of a time capsule date back to 2100 BC. BC: a copper box containing the tales of Gilgamesh, buried in the foundations of the wall of Uruk. Today, this universal concept manifests itself through objects, stories or futuristic projects, reflecting human aspirations and concerns. Here are 18 examples of the most incredible time capsules discovered or yet to be rediscovered.
#18 A capsule for the future of the future of the future
The LAGEOS-1 satellite, launched in 1976, contains a unique message intended for future generations, or even for distant humanity. Foreseen to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere in approximately 8.4 million yearsthis satellite contains a plaque designed by the famous astrophysicist Carl Sagan. The plaque, measuring 10 x 18 cm, illustrates the chronology of its launch and its orbital journey through diagrams and binary figures. It shows in particular the current position of the continents, their arrangement 268 million years ago (at the time of the Permian) and a projection of their arrangement in 8.4 million years. Testimony of a dialogue with the future, this plaque embodies a certain form of scientific ambition and a reflection on the permanence of our civilization (or not).
#17 The Lucasfilm capsule: a dive into Pop Culture
In 1981, to commemorate ten years of Lucasfilm and the opening of Skywalker Ranch, a time capsule was buried under the main building. Filled with iconic memories from the cinematic universe and related products, this capsule embodies a key moment in pop culture. Much more than a simple object, it symbolizes the impact of the Star Wars saga on generations of fans. This initiative illustrates the link between culture and technology, a pillar of the legacy left by Lucasfilm.
#16 The Library of the Future Project
Mixing art and temporality, the “Future Library Project” in Norway has collected every year since 2014 an unpublished work by a renowned writer, intended to be published in 2114. These unpublished works, preserved in a dedicated forest, offer a unique perspective on the intergenerational transmission of literary creativity.
#15 A legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1988, a capsule containing personal effects of Martin Luther King Jr. and audio cassettes recorded by people from the 1980s was buried in Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C. Scheduled to be opened in 2088, this capsule represents a direct link between the civil rights leader’s dream and future generations. She not only captures her heritage, but also an echo of these aspirations and his famous “dream”.
#14 The Nickelodeon capsule: the voice of the 90s
Created in 1992, the time capsule of Nickelodeon captures the essence of this decade, with iconic items such as a Nintendo Game Boy, Twinkies, and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Significant events like the dissolution of the USSR are also documented there. Scheduled to be opened in 2042, it constitutes a valuable testimony to childhood and 90s pop culture, reflecting the aspirations and influences of a generation.
#13 An astronomer’s forgotten time capsule
In 1894, astronomer and inventor John Brashear sealed a metal box in the cornerstone of his studio, the Astronomical & Physical Instrument Works. It’s onlyt in 2015 this forgotten time capsule was rediscovered and opened by curators at the Heinz History Center. Inside were photographs of Brashear, his wife Phoebe, fondly referred to as “my dear,” and his employees and equipment. A highlight of the contents is a piece of optical glass, one of the first made in America, accompanied by a wish: “May we hope that when this stone is opened, America will dominate the world.” Each object demonstrates Brashear’s care and intention to convey a deeply personal and full of optimism for the future.
#12 The Tesla monument in Silicon Valley: a look into the future
In 2013, during the inauguration of a monument dedicated to Nikola Tesla, a time capsule was sealed, including an iPhone and predictions written by children for 2043. This project links past and future, honoring Tesla while leaving a tangible trace for future generations. The statue, sporting a huge light bulb, reflects both imagination and innovation. Future discoverers of this capsule could well find there a unique snapshot of our times and a vision of the future dreamed by its creators.
#11 Miss Belvedere: a capsule of automotive failure
In 1957, a Plymouth Belvedere was sealed in a concrete trunk to be revealed 50 years later, in 2007. Unfortunately, water infiltration damaged the car, symbolizing the unforeseen challenges that time capsules may face over the decades.
#10 Disneyland’s “Time Castle”: a magical capsule
In 1995, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Disneyland, park members buried a unique time capsule, nicknamed the “Time Castle”. Buried in the heart of the central courtyard of Main Street, this capsule contains iconic objects from the era, such as photos, newspapers and an Indiana Jones decoder card. A true treasure chest, it offers a glimpse of the memories and culture of the 1990s. Scheduled to be opened during the park’s 80th anniversary in 2035, this capsule promises to amaze future visitors with a touch of timeless magic.
#9 Voyager’s golden discs: a message for the universe
The Voyager 1 and 2 probes, launched in 1977, carry gold disks intended for possible extraterrestrial civilizations. These “bottles in the cosmic ocean”, according to Carl Sagan, contain images, sounds and messages describing the cultural and biological diversity of the Earth. This unique project is regularly mocked or singled out. Indeed the content remains relatively cryptic, even for a human fully aware of its meaning. However, these records also remain a moving testimony of a profound optimism, reflecting the end of an era where the conquest of space still made the whole world dream.
#8 The Immortality Drive and preservation in Space
In 2008, a unique capsule was sent aboard the International Space Station: the Immortality Drive. This digital device contains the DNA sequences of influential figures, such as Stephen Hawking, and literary works. Designed as a safeguard for humanity in the event of a planetary catastrophethis capsule transports our collective essence beyond terrestrial borders.
#7 A 19th century capsule discovered in France
In 2024, archaeologists discovered a time capsule dating from 1825 in Bracquemont, in Normandy. It contained a message from a local scholar, Pierre Jacques Ferré, recounting his archaeological excavations. This exceptional find connects the past to the present and inspires the creation of a new capsule, buried in the same place for future generations. This project reflects the importance of preserving and transmitting our heritage.
#6 Westinghouse capsules and the horizon of the 7th millennium
The famous Westinghouse time capsules, eburied during the World’s Fairs of 1939 and 1965 in New York, are designed to survive 5000 years. These metal cylinders contain objects representative of life in the 20th century, from textiles to films. Their location is marked at Flushing Meadow Park, ensuring that their future discovery will be accompanied keys necessary to interpret their content.
#5 A capsule on the Moon
In 1969, during the historic Apollo 11 mission, the astronauts left a symbolic object on the Moon intended for future generations: a silicon disk the size of a 50 cent coin. This disc contains messages of goodwill from the leaders of 73 countries around the world, testifying to the hope and international unity at the heart of this technological feat. Carefully engraved, this artifact remains on the lunar surface, a touching reminder of humanity’s collective aspiration to explore the unknown and build, perhaps one day, a common future towards infinity and beyond.
#4 The Queen Elizabeth II capsule: a mystery for 2085
In 1986, Queen Elizabeth II sealed a letter in the Queen Victoria Building in Australia, not to be opened until 2085. This message, intended for the citizens of Sydney, remains a complete mystery. This time capsule embodies anticipation and legacy, connecting a historic reign with an uncertain future. What will this testimony contain? Only some of the readers of this article will find out one day…
#3 The Crypt of Civilization: the first modern capsule
In 1939, Oglethorpe University in Georgia sealed the “Crypt of Civilization”, considered the first modern time capsule. Thought to be opened in the year 8113, This crypt contains objects and documents reflecting human culture at the beginning of the 20th century, including audio recordings, films and everyday objects.
#2 The memory of humanity in the salt mines
The Memory of Mankind (MoM) project, launched in Austria, aims to preserve contemporary knowledge on ceramic tablets, stored in the Hallstatt salt mines. This project demonstrates the desire to counter collective forgetting and transmit a cultural and technological panorama to future generations.
#1 “100 Years”: a film capsule by Robert Rodriguez (the director of Machete)
Directed by Robert Rodriguez in 2015, the film 100 Years is locked in a tamper-proof safe until 2115. Inspired by the maturation of cognac, this artistic project symbolizes the passage of time. The film, which has not yet been seen by anyone, represents a unique bet on posterity, both intrigue and homage to art and commerce. Fortunately we have a teaser to wait until the next century, that we let you discover right there.
And if you like traveling in time, you can also discover our file: 20 mind-blowing photos that show you the before/after.
Source: hitek.fr
