ADVERTISEMENT

Many of us were granted an opportunity to create a time capsule in high school. It probably didn’t matter as much then, but unearthing it decades later brought a glorious sense of nostalgia and a flood of fond memories.

The items featured on this list are more than just varsity memorabilia and notes passed around in class. Many of these were artifacts dating back to the 1930s that provide tangible fragments of a bygone era. Some are still being preserved for the next century of inhabitants to enjoy.

If you’re a history buff or someone with a deep appreciation for relics and a significant backstory, these images may fascinate you.

#1

At The 1970 Tokyo Expo, They Buried Two-Time Capsules On The Grounds Of Osaka Castle

Expo '70 time capsule showcasing historical items arranged in a grid, representing cool blasts from the past.

The First Time Capsule Was Opened In 2000 Before Being Reburied And It Will Then Be Reopened Every 100 Years. This Means Items Can Be Added To Incrementally Show How Culture Has Changed In Japan Through The 21st Century.

Panasonic , koisurukady Report

Add photo comments
POST
Scott Rackley
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a second I thought the plane figurine in the lower right was a B-29 and thought wtf.

RELATED:
    #2

    Memory Of Mankind (Mom) Is A Preservation Project. The Project Aims To Create The "Time Capsule Of Our Era"

    Stacks of labeled boxes filled with magazines revealing historical time capsules.

    Its main goal is to preserve the knowledge about present human civilization from oblivion and collective amnesia. Information is printed on ceramic tablets and stored in the salt mine of Hallstatt, Austria.

    wikipedia.org Report

    #3

    Time Capsule Holding Some Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Possessions That Was Lowered Into The Ground In 1988 At Freedom Plaza On Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C

    Time capsule filled with vintage electronics and documents, representing a historical snapshot.

    Buried in 1988 at the Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. and scheduled to be unearthed in the year 2088. The capsule contains some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal possessions along with audio cassettes people of the 1980s recorded.

    Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer Report

    Time capsules have been around for nearly 150 years, with the first debuting in 1876. New York Magazine publisher Anna Deihm put together what was then known as a “Century Safe,” which contained 19th-century relics like a gold pen and inkstand, a collection of signatures, and photos of President Ulysses S. Grant.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Time Capsule Found During Construction At Mit

    Historical time capsule labeled "Do not open until 2957 A.D." being handled and inspected.

    Back in the early stages of construction for MIT.nano, members of the crew stumbled upon something that clearly didn't belong: A time capsule buried in 1957 as part of the dedication to the Compton Laboratories.

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lene
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like a plastic tube, right? I'd worry about that because, having worked in archives, I know how plastic ruins pictures and prints/documents written with ink in just 50 years and less. Hopefully it won't be too bad with that capsule's contents since the tube is not wrapped around each item. But still, if it's plastic, just sliiiightly risky imo. 😬

    #5

    Lucasfilm’s 1981 Time Capsule

    Lucasfilm time capsule from 1981 with Star Wars memorabilia displayed, showcasing historical artifacts.

    Forty years ago this month, a special ceremony hosted during the annual July 4th Company Picnic in 1981 sought to commemorate the establishment of Skywalker Ranch itself, which would soon become the official home of Lucasfilm once new buildings finished construction. To officially herald in this new era for Lucasfilm, and to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary that year, a time capsule was placed into the cornerstone of the Main House building containing several mementos and artifacts representing Lucasfilm’s cultural and merchandising legacy up to that point.

    Pete Vilmur Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #6

    Miscellaneous Objects From The Westinghouse Time Capsule Created For The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

    Woman displaying historical time capsule items, including a Polaroid camera and a 50-star U.S. flag.

    The Metal Cylinder Was Buried 50 Feet Below The Surface Of The Westinghouse Pavilion Grounds Alongside The Earlier Westinghouse Time Capsule Created For The 1939 World’s Fair. The Two Capsules Were Intended To Survive 5000 Years And Be Opened In The 7th Millennium Ad. A Marker In Flushing Meadow Park In Queens Indicates The Internment Site. Date 1965

    Westinghouse Electric Corporation Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    However, the idea of leaving an artifact for posterity has existed for over 5,000 years. According to the University of Victoria, it was first introduced in the Epic of Gilgamesh, which experts consider humanity’s earliest literary work.

    The book opens with a set of instructions on locating a box of copper in the foundation stone of the Great Wall of Uruk in Mesopotamia. The box contained the tales of Gilgamesh, which were preserved for future generations. The Epic of Gilgamesh dates back to 2100 B.C.


    #7

    The Future Library Project Is A Public Artwork That Aims To Collect An Original Work By A Popular Writer Every Year From 2014 To 2114. The Works Will Remain Unread And Unpublished Until 2114

    Modern library interior with bookshelves and a unique wooden time capsule doorway.

    One thousand trees were specially planted for the project in the Nordmarka forest at its inception;[1] the 100 manuscripts will be printed in limited-edition anthologies using paper made from the trees. The Guardian has referred to it as "the world's most secretive library".

    katiepaterson , wikipedia.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #8

    The Samuel Adams And Paul Revere Time Capsule, Also Known As The Massachusetts State House Time Capsule

    Historical time capsules containing coins and newspapers displayed in protective cases.

    Is A Time Capsule Located In A Cornerstone Of The Massachusetts State House. It Is Widely Believed To Have Been Buried In 1795 By Then-Governor Samuel Adams And Paul Revere. It Is The Oldest Known Time Capsule In The United States.

    mfa.org , mfa.org Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    John Brashear’s Forgotten Time Capsule

    A historical time capsule with aged documents and artifacts displayed on a table.

    Brashear had placed a small metal box in the cornerstone of the Astronomical & Physical Instrument Works on Aug. 14, 1894. In 2015, conservators at the city’s Heinz History Center unpacked and cataloged pictures of Brashear, his wife, Phoebe (labeled “my dear girl”), his employees and his equipment; a lock of Phoebe’s hair; business correspondence; and a small piece of glass labeled “One of the first pieces of optical glass made in America. May we hope that when this stone is opened America will lead the world.” The contents are personal; you get the impression that Brashear carefully selected each item. Although the box doesn’t specify an opening date, Brashear, like Revere, clearly intended the box to be opened at some future point.

    Liz Simpson Report

    Add photo comments
    POST

    Fast-forward to today, when time capsules are more popular than ever. You can find “time capsule kits” on Amazon, ranging from $26 to $68. These capsules are made from stainless steel, waterproof, and anti-corrosion material to ensure they stand the test of time.

    “Time capsules have always played a role in preventing collective amnesia, even more so now with the concept of the memory hole,” International Time Capsule Society chair Adrienne Waterman told the Washington Post in a 2022 interview.

    ADVERTISEMENT


    #10

    Westinghouse Time Capsules

    People observing a Westinghouse historical time capsule from 1938-1965 at a public exhibit.

    the Westinghouse time capsule was buried to show our Jeston family descendant’s what life in the 20th century was like. Because it isn’t intended to be opened until the distant, distant future the NY World Fair sent out 300 guidebooks so that the location wasn’t forgotten.

    Wikipedia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #11

    Voyager Golden Record

    Golden record time capsule featuring Earth sounds and engraved diagrams.

    The Voyager Golden Records are two identical phonograph records which were included aboard the two Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977. The records contain sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and are intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form who may find them. The records are a time capsule.
    Carl Sagan noted that "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space, but the launching of this 'bottle' into the cosmic 'ocean' says something very hopeful about life on this planet."

    NASA , NASA , wikipedia.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    World's Largest Time Capsule

    White pyramid and abstract sculpture in a grassy area, representing historical time capsules.

    A 45-ton, 20 x 8 x 6-foot concrete vault filled with some 5,000 relics, remembrances and reminders. Dedicated on July 4, 1975, the brainchild of the late Seward writer and historian Harold Davisson is scheduled to open in 2025.

    NebraskaTourism , visitnebraska Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh cool, next year! Finally one that will be opened in our lifetimes lol

    Of course, the current age of technology offers a digital option for time capsules. Estate planning companies like Trust & Will provide people with a platform to keep and organize their digital footprints in a safe space.

    Digital time capsules may include documents, voice recordings, artwork, videos, e-books, and pieces of content like recipes, blog articles, podcasts, and music.

    #13

    The Nickelodeon Time Capsule

    Nickelodeon time capsule sealed on April 30, 1992, set to open in 2042, showcasing historical connections to past eras.

    It contains items deemed important to the children of 1992 as voted upon by Nickelodeon viewers. These items included a Barbie doll, baseball, books (comic book, endangered species book, history book, phone book, TV Guide and World Atlas), bubble gum, CDs (MC Hammer and Michael Jackson), hat featuring the catchphrase of Joey Lawrence, news reports (1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and Operation Desert Storm), Nickelodeon Gak, Nickelodeon Magazine, Nintendo Game Boy, pencils, photos of things too big to fit inside (bicycles, cars, celebrities, planes, politicians and trains), piece of the Berlin Wall, Reebok Pump sneakers, Rollerblades, skateboard, t-shirt featuring the Nicktoons characters Ren and Stimpy, Twinkies, and VHS movies (Back to the Future and Home Alone). The final items put in the capsule were a tape of the event itself and the camcorder used to record it.

    Nickelodeon Studios Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #14

    Crypt Of Civilization, Considered The First Modern Time Capsule. Photographed In 1939 Prior To Sealing

    Vintage historical time capsule with various items, posters, and memorabilia displayed inside a room.

    Unknown Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #15

    Time Capsule Sealed For New Nikola Tesla Monument In Silicon Valley

    Statue outside a building and a historical time capsule containing photos and a phone, highlighting blasts from the past.

    a new Tesla monument in Silicon Valley that includes some predictions for the world of 2043. A 30-year time capsule was also sealed at the ceremony, with items like an iPhone and a 2013 penny. But the items that people of the future may find most interesting are simply scraps of paper: predictions from local kids for what the future might be like 30 years hence. With the recent resurgence of Tesla-mania, you can bet that people of the future will certainly know Tesla's name. But judging by the design of the new statue, they may wonder what the hell he's holding. For the record, he's holding a huge light bulb.

    Matt Novak Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I predict in 30 years life in America will be non-existent 🫠

    We’d also like to hear from you. What are your experiences with time capsules? Have you created one in the past? What did you put in there? Let us know in the comments!

    #16

    Euston, London, England Time Capsule

    Plaque marking a historical time capsule placed by Sir Roger Gibbs in 2002 at the Wellcome Trust.

    Matt Brown Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #17

    Wall Street Time Capsule From 1914 Was Opened In 2014

    Unveiling historical time capsules with documents and artifacts, handled by people wearing purple gloves.

    businessinsider.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #18

    The British Columbia Time Capsule Is A Time Capsule In Victoria, British Columbia, Containing Records From 1966–1967

    Historical time capsule monument in British Columbia with engraved opening date of 2067.

    The Capsule Was Placed In Confederation Garden Court On December 31, 1967, And Is Scheduled To Be Opened On January 1, 2067,[1] As Part Of Canada's Bicentennial Celebrations.

    Michal Klajban Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #19

    Post One Monument

    Historical time capsule plaque in Ontario with engraved map and coordinates.

    The Post One Monument in Toronto's Queen's Park commemorates Canada's centennial. Unveiled in 1967, the monument functions as a geodetic survey marker and has a time capsule that is slated to be opened in 2067

    wikipedia.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Huh... I've lived within 15-20 minutes on foot of Queen's Park for most of my adult life, and during my university years walked through the park daily, but I can't remember ever having seen this. If it ever stops raining here in Toronto (preferably without transitioning immediately into snow) I'm going to have to go for an exploratory walk.

    #20

    Century-Old Time Capsule From Old State House Lion's Head Opened

    Group of people examining a historical time capsule with letters and documents inside.

    a century-old time capsule that sat inside the lion statue on top of the Old State House was opened during a ceremony in Woburn.

    Jesse Costa/WBUR Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Fred L.
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently in Boston, 1901. The description here neatly left out this surely unimportant information.

    #21

    After 30 Years Of Being Buried Underground, A Time Capsule Hidden By Apple Founder Steve Jobs Has Finally Been Discovered

    Workers opening a large historical time capsule filled with various preserved items and canned drinks.

    CNET , National Geographic Channel Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Time Capsule Is A Time Capsule That Symbolizes The Portuguese Government's Witnessing And Acknowledgement Of China's Promise To Maintain Macau's Level Of Autonomy For Fifty Years After The Transfer Of Sovereignty

    Macau historical time capsule set for opening in 2049, marked with dates 1999-2049 on a bronze plaque.

    The Time Capsule Was Closed And Covered On 18 December 1999 And It Is Scheduled To Be Opened In 2049.[1] Currently, The Time Capsule Is Located In The Praça Do Centro Cultural De Macau, Which Was The Venue For The Transference Of Sovereignty Ceremony.

    The Time Capsule contains the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Portuguese Republic on the question of Macao, Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Moreover, documents, newspaper clippings and official press releases that related to the transfer of sovereignty during the transition period were also put into the capsule

    en.wikipedia.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #23

    100 Years In The Making - The Contents Of The 1924 Time Capsule! Remarkably Intact After A Century Buried Behind The Dedication Stone In The Tower

    Historical time capsules display with photographs, documents, and artifacts on wooden floor.

    National WWI Museum and Memorial Report

    #24

    Apollo 11 Goodwill Messages

    Historical time capsule from July 1969, labeled "From Planet Earth."

    The Apollo 11 goodwill messages are statements from leaders of 73 countries around the world on a disc about the size of a 50-cent piece made of silicon that was left on the Moon in 1969 by the Apollo 11 astronauts.

    NASA Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #25

    When The Perth Observatory Foundation Was Laid On 29 September 1896, The Occasion Was Attended By Sir John Forrest And Other Notable Dignitaries, And Several Items Of Importance Were Placed In A Leaden Box (Time Capsule), Sealed And Deposited In A Cavity Beneath The Foundation Stone

    Historical time capsule ceremony with a large crowd, featuring banners of famous scientists.

    The event was described in the local press and mentioned here since "Röntgen rays tubes, and a description of the process, together with specimen photographs", donated by Hancock were included in the cache. This is the first known instance of a time capsule in Western Australia, and in Australia.

    Powerhouse Museum Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #26

    The Mount Royal Cross Is A Monument On Top Of Mount Royal In Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Metallic cross structure, a historical monument surrounded by trees, under a clear blue sky.

    Next to the cross, a plaque marks the emplacement of a time capsule buried in 1992, during Montreal's 350th birthday celebration. It contains messages and drawings from 12,000 children, depicting their visions for the city in the year 2142, when it is scheduled to be opened.

    Taxiarchos228 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #27

    The Immortality Drive Is A Large Memory Device Which Was Taken To The International Space Station In A Soyuz Spacecraft On October 12, 2008

    Man holding a small historical time capsule, smiling at the camera.

    The Intent Of The Immortality Drive Is To Preserve Human DNA In A Time Capsule, In Case Some Global Cataclysm Should Occur On Earth.
    The Immortality Drive contains fully digitized DNA sequences of a select group of humans, such as physicist Stephen Hawking, comedian and talk show host Stephen Colbert, Playboy model Jo Garcia, game designer Richard Garriott,[1] fantasy authors Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman, pro wrestler Matt Morgan, and athlete Lance Armstrong.[2][3] The microchip also contains a copy of George's Secret Key to the Universe, a 2007 children's book authored by Stephen Hawking and his daughter, Lucy.

    Whiskey-Particular , wikipedia.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #28

    Lageos-1

    Historical time capsule representing the LAGEOS satellite with engraved world maps and numerical codes.

    LAGEOS-1 (which is predicted to re-enter the atmosphere in 8.4 million years) also contains a 4 in × 7 in plaque designed by Carl Sagan to indicate to future humanity when LAGEOS-1 was launched. The plaque includes the numbers 1 to 10 in binary. In the upper right is a diagram of the Earth orbiting the Sun, with a binary number 1 indicating one revolution, equaling one year. It then shows 268,435,456 years in the past (binary: 228), indicated by a left arrow and the arrangement of the Earth's continents at that time (during the Permian period). The present arrangement of the Earth's continents is indicated with a 0 and both forward and backward arrows. Then the estimated arrangement of the continents in 8.4 million years with a right facing arrow and 8,388,608 in binary (223). LAGEOS itself is shown at launch on the 0 year, and falling to the Earth in the 8.4 million year diagram

    NASA , Карл Саган Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #29

    Miss Belvedere Is A 1957 Plymouth Belvedere That Was Sealed In An Underground Vault On The Grounds Of The Tulsa City Courthouse On June 15, 1957, As A 50-Year Time Capsule

    A car being buried as a historical time capsule; people gathered around observing the process.

    Nicknamed Miss Belvedere by a member of the committee organizing the 2007 event, the car was unearthed on June 14, 2007, during the state's centennial celebration and publicly unveiled the next day.[5][6] Reflecting the Cold War tensions endemic in late 1950s America, the enclosure – built of poured in place concrete and sprayed with pneumatically applied gunite – was advertised as having been built to withstand a nuclear attack. However, the vault was breached by long term water intrusion, that submerged the entire vehicle, causing significant cosmetic and structural damage

    wikipedia.org , tulsaworld Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though it was damaged, I still would have liked to see a picture of the car.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    In 1995, On The Park’s 40th Anniversary, Cast Members Buried A Time Capsule (Called The “Time Castle”, So That Future Visitors Could Take A Peek Into The Past

    Disneyland 40th Anniversary time capsule plaque, commemorating historical moments for future discovery.

    The Time Castle, buried right in the center court off Main Street, contains photos, newspapers, an Indiana Jones decoder card, and more memorabilia. The capsule lies in wait for its reopening, slated for the park’s 80th anniversary in 2035

    duchessofdisneyland Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What kind of items would you prefer to include in a time capsule?

    Personal letters or notes

    Historical artifacts

    Everyday objects from current times

    Photos and videos