Madam Victoria Smith a Flight Attendant kept some of her precious items in a time capsule.

Submitted into Contest #62 in response to: Write about a character putting something into a time capsule.... view prompt

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Adventure Creative Nonfiction Mystery

My story is entitled Madam Victoria Smith a Flight Attendant kept some of her precious items in a time capsule.


A time capsule is created during celebrations such as world fairs, a cornerstone laying for a building.

Also among some of the items she kept in the time capsule includes the newspaper, spoon, pictures, a birth announcement, birthday party invitation and recorded baby coos and giggles. A stainless steel container is the perfect choice for a time capsule. Also most people put things inside a time capsule and then after bury it up.

The time capsule seeks to protect its content the container must protect it until the intended recipient opens the time capsule entirely. Again a time capsule is a historic goods of information usually intended as a deliberate method of communication with future people and to help future Archaeologist or some other historians. Time capsules are also commercially manufactured sealable containers sold for protection.


In addition many underground time capsules are also mostly destroyed by ground water infiltration after short periods of time. It is noted that time capsules are some sort of caches stored within the wall cavities of buildings that can survive within a longer period of time as the building is used and maintained. Again digital time capsule is a more durable form of preservation.

The Westinghouse Time capsule are mainly two time capsules prepared by the Westinghouse Elective and Manufacturing company that were both made in 1938 and the other in 1965. The time capsules are filled with contemporary Articles used in the twentieth century way of life in the United States of America a land of opportunity and plenty.

The time capsules are specially designed non-corrosive metal tubes of about ninety inches long. The Time capsule was made with electrical properties in mind that seeks to always enhance the characteristics of each tubes unique metal chemical make-up. The time capsule were both formulated to resist corrosion over time rather than being allowed to waste away to dust.

Also it can be noted that there were record books about these time capsule given to almost thousands of other libraries, museums and other depositories worldwide to preserve the knowledge that exists. Other duplicates of the content of the object held in the time capsule for these people for the future are currently held in a history museum of the United States of America. It can also be noted that the Westinghouse Electric and manufacturing company prepared time capsules consecutively to world fairs. The Time capsules were both burried almost fifty feet below flushing meadows of the Corona park, the site of the fairs.

The Time capsule was created for the New York World fair.

The time capsules are filled with physical objects of a time period of both social and scientific interests. Also everyday items including the fountain pen was placed inside the time capsule. Other newspapers were recorded and placed in the time capsule.

Again included in most time capsules were copies of Life magazines,a kew pie doll, a pack of cigarettes or RKW Pathe Pictures newsreel.


Also in addition, a variety of seeds was placed in the time capsule including wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, cotton,flax,rice, soya bean, alfalfa, carrots and barley. It can be noted that other categories of objects were placed inside the time capsule. Among them includes small Articles of common use, textiles and materials , Essay in microfilm ,RKW newsreel and some other miscellaneous items.

Again other names are stored in the Westinghouse Time capsule for the next five thousand years.

Again time capsules are fun to make and even seeks to be more fun to open years down the line. A time capsule can also be any container that holds objects meant for people to open in the near future whether in the consecutive period of five ,ten or even hundred years. A good Time capsule will hold its contents safely preserving them for a future version for yourself , grandchildren or even a stranger of some sort.

As can be noted having the skills to create a time capsule will thrill and fascinate someone in the near future.

Madam Victoria Smith did not only put something inside a time capsule but she created a Time capsule.

When creating a time capsule she adds that you must choose an Audience for your time capsule. Do think about who your time capsule is for. Whether you plan to open the time capsule yourself you will have your grandchildren to also open it. Most grandfathers live behind a time capsule filled with memorabila and other handwritten notes.


Again do make a list of possible objects to include for your audience. Also depending on your Audience you may have different priorities for your contents. The only limits for time capsules are space and the ability of your capsule content to be safely stored. A time capsule for yourself does focus on personal moments of your life.

As noted a time capsule that you seek to pass down to your children or grandchildren finds things that will interest them about their life and your world. Other personal objects of significance to you and your family like wedding invitation and things that depicts the state of the world like technology are good choices of things put in a time capsule.

Some also put toys in the time capsule for kids in instances where the time capsule is for children.

Also do pick out some current newspapers or other magazines. The print media showing current events or trends is a good choice to carry into the future. Do store journals ,letters and other photographs for a personal touch in a time capsule.

The Time capsule is meant for you and your family. Many people find it rewarding to read messages between people from the past. Journals and photographs each provide a captivating look at another person's life. There are no limit as to what you keep in a time capsule. Do make it a must to write and enclose a letter in the time capsule that gives you an opportunity to tell your future audience about daily life.


In addition, do make an inventory in the time capsule. Write down all the contents and place the list in the capsule within your records,this will help future openers know that everything is in place and help you remember what you put in the capsule. Choose a duration for your time capsule. A personal time capsule of ten to thirty years may be enough.

A generational time capsule for your grandchildren may be sixty or seventy years. In instances where you want your capsule to be opened at a later date,plan for some logistics. You may also open the capsule when you are married or you reach retirement.

Again do plan for the worst wear and tear of the time capsule. It can also be noted that damage can sometimes ruin items in the time capsule before anyone sees them.

Also use a shoe box bin or some old suitcase for a short term indoor option.

A time capsule is supposed to last for a period of five to ten years.


Finally, select a highly weatherproof for long term stowage. When you place the time capsule outdoor do bury the time capsule by selecting a container that is likely to survive like a commercial or home built aluminum stainless steel.

Lastly do something to remind yourself or others about the time capsule as in the case of Madam Victoria Smith.

October 07, 2020 09:54

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