Homer Simpson is constantly knocking US Technology …. US made cars that break down, electric gates that don’t close etc etc, well two stories broke today that made me laugh; they both concerned “time” capsules.
In the first story, it appears that 50 yrs ago, the residents of Tulsa buried a car in a concrete vault with articles that would be a mirror of the times, such as a ladies handbag with lipstick and tranquillisers (and that says something in itself!) with the intention that it be dug up 50 yrs later, and whom ever had guessed the population of present day Tulsa would win the car and contents, or at least their heirs would.
Anyway, the car had been encased in a concrete vault said to be strong enough to withstand nuclear attack, but when it was dug up and opened, it and its contents were a complete mess, water sodden and rusted beyond use. So much for the nuclear bunker and American 1950’s ‘know how’.
The second story was of a time capsule set up by Victorian school children who buried some newspapers and coins under the foundation stone of the school in 1893. This was accidentally uncovered when an extension was being added and the contents, newspapers and coins were found to be in perfect condition. Score one for the Victorians! The school plans to rebury the time capsule with modern equivalent items added.
However, if as I suspect, standards of workmanship have fallen since the Victorian days, as evidenced by the non water tight “nuclear bunker” built in the 1950’s, then I would bet that the reburied time capsule will be useless junk when next its opened!
In the first story, it appears that 50 yrs ago, the residents of Tulsa buried a car in a concrete vault with articles that would be a mirror of the times, such as a ladies handbag with lipstick and tranquillisers (and that says something in itself!) with the intention that it be dug up 50 yrs later, and whom ever had guessed the population of present day Tulsa would win the car and contents, or at least their heirs would.
Anyway, the car had been encased in a concrete vault said to be strong enough to withstand nuclear attack, but when it was dug up and opened, it and its contents were a complete mess, water sodden and rusted beyond use. So much for the nuclear bunker and American 1950’s ‘know how’.
The second story was of a time capsule set up by Victorian school children who buried some newspapers and coins under the foundation stone of the school in 1893. This was accidentally uncovered when an extension was being added and the contents, newspapers and coins were found to be in perfect condition. Score one for the Victorians! The school plans to rebury the time capsule with modern equivalent items added.
However, if as I suspect, standards of workmanship have fallen since the Victorian days, as evidenced by the non water tight “nuclear bunker” built in the 1950’s, then I would bet that the reburied time capsule will be useless junk when next its opened!
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