Inventory of the Crypt of Civilization

History of the Crypt

Inventory of the Crypt

Pictures of the Crypt

International Time Capsule Society

Tips on Building a Time Capsule

The Nine Most Wanted Time Capsules

Time Capsule Secrets

To assist him in this tremendous task, Dr. Jacobs sought the help of Thomas K. Peters, a scientist of versatile experience. Work on the Crypt commenced in August, 1937, and continued until June, 1940. During this period of thirty-three months, an astounding amount of knowledge was condensed: the accumulated knowledge acquired during the 72,000 months of the last 6000 years.

The organization plan called for the microfilming of authoritative books on every subject of importance known to mankind. This list of reference and textbooks covered some 800 works including:

200 books of fiction; drawings of all of our inventions made to scale such as our means of transportation, communication, etc.; a record of the sports, amusements, pastimes and games in vogue during the last century; motion pictures of historical events since 1898; still photographs giving the history of the United States since 1840; sound motion pictures of the great men and women of the world; sound records of important radio speeches, motion pictures of industrial processes; medical and surgical subjects; views of the great cities of the world; sports pastime, newsreels, and dramatic subjects; educational pictures in all subjects, an apparatus for teaching the English language in case it is no longer spoken; actual samples of objects of our daily life; scientific, navigation, and aviation instruments; projection apparatus for motion pictures; reading devices for the microfilm; artificial aids to sight; artificial arms, dentures, wigs, etc.; weights and measures current in the world today; measuring instruments; seeds of flowers, plants, vegetables, fruits, and trees; drawings and paintings; paper mache models of fruits and vegetables; artificial flowers; clothing, models of jewelry, no gold, silver, or jewels are included to tempt vandals.

The Crypt, located under Phoebe Hearst Hall, is a room 20 feet long, 10 feet high and 10 feet wide (60 palms long, 30 palms wide and 30 palms high). The Crypt, resting on a bed rock with 2 feet of stone above it, is lined with porcelain enamel plates embedded in pitch. It is sealed with a great stainless steel door, welded in place.

The Crypt of Civilization was sealed on the 28th day of May, 1940, with instructions that it is not to be opened until the 28th day of May, 8113 A.D.

Inventory of the Crypt of Civilization

• 5 phonograph records (transcriptions)
• 2 bird records (songs of birds)
• 3 records in album
• 5 records (miscellaneous)
• General Gannett and Acompo 8 records
• 1 transcription (Premier of Canada)
• phonograph records in 2 boxes - History of Mines - 37 10" records, 2 12" records
• 1 container of beer (about one quart)
• 1 plastic bird, 1 plastic ash tray
• 1 beetle plastic ornament and bowl
• 1 vanity make-up mirror with light
• 11 miscellaneous recordings
• 6 recordings (Artie Shaw)
• 6 recordings (Richard Himber)
• 1 plastic savings bank
• 3 plastic pieces (miscellaneous)
• 1 plastic display case for watch
• 1 set Lionel model train (6 cars, I track)
• 1 cigarette holder
• 1 model air conditioner apparatus
• 1 box of eight plastic samples
• 1 set of scales (hand)
• 1 Ingraham pocket watch
• 1 Regen's cigarette lighter
• 1 Ingraham wrist watch (woman's)
• 1 sample of gold mesh
• 1 Gen-A-Lite flashlight
• 1 Toastolator (electric)
• 1 Monroe calculator
• 1 set Lincoln Logs (toys)
• 1 mannikin (female) in glass case
• 1 mannikin (male) in glass case
• 1 telephone instrument dial phone (desk type)
• 10 samples of textile upholstery
• 4 samples plated plastics
• 1 3-cell flash light
• Audio Scriptions (2 records of Dr. Jacobs' voice)
• 1 pencil painting
• 1 cut and 2 illustrations from cut
• 1 set Helios (game board and pieces)
• 2 carved glass panels
• 1 set Bridgeomatic (game)
• 2 micro-film readers and 2 micro-films (Oglethorpe Book of Georgia Verse)
• 1 obstetrical model (2 pieces)
• 1 set graduates (sealed)
• 1 Micarta gear
• 1 package containing 6 miniature panties, 5 miniature shirts, 3 drawers
• 1 sample plastic radio case
• 2 Lennox china vases, 1 blue china bowl
• 1 Emerson radio
• 1 sample of aluminum foil
• 1 sample technicolor film on display card
• 1 abrasive wheel (Aloxite)
• 4 skeins of rayon, 1 electric iron
• 2 electric lighting fixtures and 2 acetate shades
• 1 set of binoculars in leather case
• 1 recording transcription, King Gustav of Sweden
• 6 transcriptions "We, the People" radio show
• 1 Kodak (small) camera
• 1 plastic drinking glass holder
• 1 sample of catlinite
• 1 Schick Electric Razor (set)
• 1 sample of Lucite
• 1 Comptometer, Ser. no. J246635
• 2 ashtrays, plastic forms of gears
• 1 package Butterick dress patterns
• 1 DuPrene glove (rubber substitute)
• 1 set silver plate 1847 Rogers, I knife, 1 fork, 1 spoon
• 1 copy of The New York Herald-Tribune (especially prepared copy)
• 1 Masonic deposit (5 badges, I metal plaque in case, sealed)
• 1 glass jar containing 2 pen holders, 3 pencils, 1 slide rule and instructions, 1 set colored crayons, 1 plastic ruler, 1 fountain pen and pencil set, 6 corks
• 1 glass refrigerator dish and cover
• 1 Mazda lamp exhibit (component parts)
• 1 model Edison's original and 1 Mazda lamp
• 1 package assorted wearing apparel
• 1 package samples of laces and ribbons
• 1 pair ladies stockings
• 1 package - 1 towel, 3 washcloths
• 1 framed painting (roses reproduction)
• 1 framed picture (reproduction, painting of a house)
• 1 package containing 6 wood and plastic pictures
• 1 rafia covered glass powder jar
• 1 sample of soap (figure of a bull)
• 1 package assorted hair pins
• 1 package containing 6 pieces, assorted costume jewelry
• 1 glass jar containing miscellaneous ornaments and 4 berets, 1 hair net, 1 clip
• 1 glass jar containing 1 hair bow, 1 gem razor, 1 package blades, 1 shaving brush, 2 powder puffs, 2 compacts, 3 samples powder, 1 eyebrow brush, 3 lipsticks, 1 hair remover, 1 toothbrush, 1 rouge, 1 nail brush, 1 ivory stick, 1 pair manicure scissors, 1 eyelash curler, 5 hair curlers, 1 package dental floss, 1 pair tweezers, 1 package Mallene, 1 package corn pads eye cup, 1 set artificial finger nails, 1 set artificial eyelashes, 1 package playing cards, 1 set Bridge tally cards
• 1 package containing 2 combs, 1 change carrier, 1 package of paper cleaning pads, 1 identification book, 1 pair dark glasses, 1 lady's comb, 4 pair shoe laces, 2 pair shoulder straps, 1 flashlight, 2 dice, 1 cigar holder, 1 cigarette holder
• 1 package containing 5 spools of silk thread, 1 crochet hook, 1 thimble, 2 packages needles, 2 packages rickrack, 2 packages bias binding
• 1 package of samples oil cloth
• 1 lady's breast form
• 1 package cellophane dish covers, 3 belts, 1 package 2nd carbon copy of teletype news
• 1 yellow china bowl, 7 "What-Not" ornaments, 1 package picture hooks, curtain rings and ends, 1 napkin and napkin ring
• 6 packages wooden forks and spoons set toy paints, 1 tea bowl, 1 package fish hooks, 1 package drapery pins, 1 June bug spinner, 1 package curtain rings, 1 fly, 2 toy watches, 1 pocket knife
• 2 smoking pipes, 1 bottle Vaseline
• 1 porcelain figure, 2 small glass ornaments, glass coal scuttle
• 1 small glass vase, 1 glass teakettle
• 1 package paper clips, 1 package cellophane ribbon, 1 set measuring spoons, 1 doughnut cutter, 1 plastic salt and pepper shaker set, plastic picture frame, 1 set Curtain holdbacks
• 1 toy whistle, 1 golfball, 1 cake of soap
• 1 cover for milk bottle, 1 plastic knife, fork and spoon, 1 salad fork and spoon
• 1 funnel, 1 barometer, 1 glass container and cover, 1 scouring pad, 1 package of marbles, 3 outlets, 1 socket plug, 1 switch, 1 Pull chain socket, 3 house numbers, 1 rule, 1 can opener
• 1 carving knife and fork, 1 rule, 1 screwdriver
• 1 grapefruit corer, 1 potato masher, 1 ladle, 1 spoon, 1 pancake turner
• 1 asbestos mat, 1 red china plate
• 1 glass bookend (girl's head)
• 1 toy automobile, 1 toy stagecoach, 1 image of Buddha (incense burner)
• 1 small china plate, 1 small china bowl, 1 glass rolling pin,
• 1 package rayon chemicals
• 1 piece sheet music, 1 sample of mahogany treated with bakelite varnish orange reamer and bowl, 1 glass water bottle for refrigerator, 1 package paper drinking cups
• 1 coffee set (drip coffee maker, cream and sugar), 1 cream and sugar set, 1 flower holder, 2 Pyrex dishes, 1 covered china bowl, 5 drinking glasses, 1 wine glass
• 1 whiskey glass jigger, 1 liquor measure (jigger and cup), 1 vase, 1 set measuring cups, 4 red glass goblets, 1 Willow ware cup and saucer, 1 pottery bowl, 1 kitchen brush, 1 toilet brush
• 1 candlestand (candle and globe), 1 package soap and miscellaneous items (sealed)
• 1 sales ticket register, 1 Detrola radio
• 1 fishing rod, 1 badminton set and net
• 1 package fly swatter, coat hanger, etc.
• 1 assortment of cuff links, buttons, etc. (sealed), 8 packages assorted buttons
• 5 handkerchiefs, and silk scarves
• 1 Yankee screwdriver, 1 screwdriver and special screws
• 12 packages Rayon-Component parts and displays, 1 watt-hour meter, 1 tube rayon thread, 1 set of 6 radio tubes
• 1 toy pistol, 1 pinball game, 1 toy airplane
• 1 Negro doll, 1 toy flying gyro, 1 wrecker
• 1 toy greyhound bus, 1 tractor, 2 dolls (white), 1 1-one Ranger, 1 ambulance
• 1 Donald Duck, 1 set toy tools, 1 toy tank, 1 pacifier, 1 bubble pipe, 1 rattle
• 1 toy equestrian, 18 toy soldiers, 12 toy civilians, 1 toy cannon, 2 muses, 1 anti-aircraft gun, 1 set samples of better ware
• 1 blotter, 1 inkwell (sealed)
• 1 DuPrene sample (artificial rubber)
• 1 sample ILICite (plastic) 1 sample textile (cotton), 1 sample of rayon cloth
• 1 auto-point pencil, 8 Voca-films
• 1 transcription (Roosevelt, 11 parts)
• 1 transcription (King Edward VIII)
• 1 package Masonite (sealed)
• 1 denture (Lipper), 1 box samples of Micarta (sealed), 1 box samples of carpets, 1 crystalite, 10 rings
• 5 Iconoscape television tubes
• Spectacle frames, buckles, 8 auto handles, bottle caps, beads, 22 miscellaneous plastic samples, 9 color samples tennite, 1 sample insulation, 1 distributor head cover, 1 thermometer case
• 1 instrument panel, 7 samples Formica
• 14 samples Formica (set)
• 1 set A-C spark plugs (sealed)
• 1 plastic flute