U of C Time Capsule Opens Like Al Capone’s Vault

By aaroncynic in News on Jun 3, 2011 9:05PM

More than 60 years ago, Nobel Laureate and brilliant scientist Enrico Fermi left a time capsule tucked behind a cornerstone at the University of Chicago’s Research Institutes building. The University of Chicago held a red carpet ceremony to open the capsule while onlookers and a media horde speculated on its contents. One student told the Sun Times “It’s always fun to speculate that it might (contain) some sort of ancient virus…” Others hoped for something exciting or speculative of what the future might look like. When Professor Emeritus Riccardo Levi-Setti opened the charcoal colored box however, there wasn’t much excitement inside.

The capsule contained road maps and airline schedules, a photo of the research building, some directories and a publication on atomic research. Professor Levi-Setti said he was “surprised there wasn’t…something inspiring” and Roger Hildebrand, professor of physics and astrophysics said “I doubt very much that Fermi picked those things out.” Even though the fanfare might not have matched the discoveries, the University knew what they were presenting ahead of time. Officials cracked the box four weeks ago to examine its contents and make sure nothing was damaged.