Time capsule

A time capsule is a container for the storage of things for a certain time, which is opened only after a certain time interval of persons or may be, with the purpose to pass time typical things to the next generations.

Variations

The typical time capsule is a container that is walled in with the foundation of a new building, for example, at a groundbreaking ceremony. Even in the sphere of church spiers, the steeple button, time capsules are deposited traditional. Unlike foundation stones that are rarely opened, with the renovation of church spiers is an opening and creation usually an event of regional importance. The old content will gladly presented in the press and the media and represented their history and then- at the time of laying. The new laying is well worth a report. The old content will be supplemented with new things and sealed in the container. This content can be: coins and bills, newspapers of the day, newly written chronicles and statistical information of the village or town.

There are also other variants of the time capsule, for example, a capsule, which you send to yourself and then opens in the distant future, or private time capsules for the offspring. So sometimes time capsules are also designed not or not primarily with the intention to illustrate the present ( to be later in the future again to remember these then become the past time), but to express wishes and future predictions to take ( for example, as the could your life look like in a few years ). The special attraction here lies often is thereby have the opportunity later to see how these predictions have arrived and have come true - or not. Often this has yesterday held to be realistic from the point of view of today's reality, therefore, also a curious element and not rarely has occasion to have fun ( about yourself ).

Also, chance finds and attic finds are in the broad sense time capsules. This historically interesting findings, however, are usually created unintentionally. Even entire buildings are so named.

Archaeological time capsules ranging from rat middens on ice cores up to the ancient Pompeii.

Characteristics of a time capsule also contribute interstellar messages such as the Pioneer plaque and the Voyager Golden Record, as they would for a long time and therefore already be on the road partially obsolete, if an alien intelligence would encounter them.

Capsule

The container or the capsule should be able to be air - tight and watertight in order to ensure the contents over a long period can. This is comparable to the bottle. Moisture penetrating into the capsule rot documents, coins can oxidize and thus negate the meaning of the capsule.

Storage location

The storage location should be due to a weather- protected location to prevent penetration of moisture (rain water, waterlogging ).