What the Rosetta Stone Saw In case English turns out to be a dead language in 8113 AD, Dr Jacobs very thoughtfully included a Mutoscope to provide a potted course in sound and pictures to help any latter day Howard Carters to decipher the microfilm records.  Archaeologists who regard that sort of thing as cheating can just ignore it.

The pyramids of Egypt.  Stonehenge.  Easter Island.  And now, Oglethorpe University, Atlanta Georgia.

While the Westinghouse Time Capsule was still in the planning stages, Dr Thornwell Jacobs (1877-1956), President of Oglethorpe University, was already putting together his own, more ambitious collection to send to the future; his Crypt of Civilisation.

With construction beginning in 1935 and completion in 1940, the Crypt was Dr Jacob's attempt to avoid the great gaps in the historical record that have plagued scholars since Herodotus coined the phrase "You're history!" and then had to start writing some so it would make some sort of sense.

The crypt was intended to last until the year 8113 AD and to give it a sporting chance, it was built to last.  Tucked into the granite bedrock in the foundations of the Phoebe Hearst Memorial Hall, the crypt was a twenty feet long, ten feet wide, and ten feet high room hollowed out of the living rock, lined with chromium walls, filled with nitrogen gas, and sealed with a stainless steel door.  Inside was placed a massive compendium of microfilm records, sound recordings, photographs made on film and thin metal strips, and a collection of everyday objects from radios to toilet brushes. 

Because of the greater space than the Time Capsule, Dr Jacobs was able to include more and larger items, including mannequins and  an anti-aircraft gun.  Unfortunately, it had the disadvantage of being accessible.  Where the Time Capsule now rests under hundreds of feet of soil and would require a concerted effort to retrieve it, all that stands between success and plunder is its stainless steel door.  Dr Jacob was confident that his creation would survive all sorts of turmoil, stating that even an air raid would only manage to bury it under more stonework.  But the greatest danger isn't from mindless destruction, but from wanton erasure.  Plague, famine and war may not touch the Crypt, but God save it from some future college administrator who decides that its contents aren't politically correct and decides to do something about it.

Then it's memory hole time.

I

Inventory of the Crypt of Civilisation

• 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
  • 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
• 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
• 1 set A-C spark plugs (sealed)
• 1 plastic flute

• 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 containing:
  • cellophane dish covers,
  • 3 belts
  • 1 package 2nd carbon copy of teletype news
• 1 yellow china bowl
• 7 "What-Not" ornaments
• 1 package containing:
  •  picture hooks
  • curtain rings and ends
  • 1 napkin and napkin ring
• 6 packages containing
  • 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 golf ball
• 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
• 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 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
• 7 samples Formica
• 14 samples Formica (set)

Tales of Future Past | Ephemeral Isle | Freelance Writing | Radio Plays | Shop