What to put in a time capsule: ideas and meanings

A time capsule typically contains objects and records that allow a person from the future to better understand what life was like at a particular time. Generally speaking, it brings together everyday objects, documents, digital media and personal messages, always with the idea of ​​creating a faithful portrait of the present. When talking about devices that can only be opened in the long term, concerns about the durability of materials and how to preserve access to information also come into play.

This type of project is common in schools, town halls, businesses and even families, who set a deadline for opening, often several decades. The choice of content is not random: it generally reflects customs, available technologies, prices, the language used and even expectations about the future. Thus, the time capsule functions as a kind of concentrated archive, ready to be discovered by another generation.

What is usually placed in a time capsule?

Selecting items for a time capsule usually begins with items that represent the context of that moment. The key word here is time capsule as an organized set of records, not just a container of random objects. In many cases, a group decides on ground rules: limits on weight, volume and material type, always thinking about the long term.

Among the most common objects are newspapers, magazines and printed brochures, which help record the highlights, headlines and advertisements of an era. Physical photographs also appear frequently, often identified on the back with names, places and dates. They are simple objects, but they provide information about fashion, architecture, events and social habits.

• Printed documents: newspaper clippings, school reports, event flyers, city maps.
• Daily use items: product packaging, cinema tickets, public transport tickets.
• Visual recordings: developed photos, postcards, handmade illustrations.
• Coins and notes: money in circulation, recalling national values ​​and symbols.
• Personal texts: letters, written statements and questionnaires answered by residents, students or employees.

What digital devices and media can be placed in the time capsule?

With the advancement of technology, it has become common to include electronic devices and digital media in a time capsule. However, the choice must take into account the fact that, in several decades, certain formats may no longer be compatible with the equipment used. It is therefore recommended to use widely available technologies and to leave clear instructions with the equipment.

USB drives, memory cards and external hard drives appear frequently, mainly for storing photos, videos, audios and documents in digital format. It is also common to use DVDs or Blu-rays, despite the risk that optical drives will become rarer in the future. Some projects even include a small computer, tablet, or portable player, prepared to function solely as a reader of archived content.

1. USB key or memory card: containing organized folders with photos, videos and texts.
2. Optical media (DVD/Blu-ray): used to store backup versions of the same files.
3. External hard drive: with greater capacity for high-resolution recordings.
4. Printed manual: explaining the file formats, passwords used and method of access.
5. Dedicated device: like a simple mini-laptop, with the system and programs already installed.

How to guarantee the longevity of a time capsule?

So that a time capsule can only be opened after many years, one must think about both physical protection and internal organization. This applies both to papers and objects and to devices that can only be opened for a long time. Planning includes the type of container material, storage location, and formal recording of the capsule’s existence.

Sturdy metal containers, stainless steel tubing or tightly sealed boxes are common alternatives, especially when the capsule will be buried or exposed to variations in temperature and humidity. In internal environments, such as schools, museums or businesses, reinforced boxes, with numbered seals and a detailed description of the contents, are usually sufficient.

• Moisture protection: use of sealed packaging, silica gel and resistant plastics.
• Protection against light and heat: choose places protected from direct sunlight and sources of intense heat.
• Documentary file: minutes, certificate or public document indicating the planned opening date.
• External identification: internal and external labels describing the purpose of the time capsule.
• Instructions for the future: text explaining the context and guiding those who find the material.

What types of messages and information are most used?

In addition to physical objects and devices, the time capsule often reserves space for direct messages to future generations. These are texts that explain what daily life was like, what the main concerns of society were, and what was expected for the years to come. By 2025, many projects will also include data on topics such as technology, environment, education and health.

These messages can take the form of individual letters, collective reports, transcribed interviews or videos recorded specifically for this purpose. The idea is to offer a broad overview: language, slang, forms of address, cultural references and descriptions of the events that marked this period. Thus, whoever opens the time capsule will have more elements to understand the context in which these materials were collected.

In this way, the time capsule ceases to be a simple container containing ancient objects and begins to function as a structured record of collective memory, combining papers, digital media, devices and personal stories, all designed to be discovered only over the long term.