1988 Time Capsule

Time Capsules are usually buried during celebratory or commemorative moments such as a significant anniversary or the laying of a building’s foundation stone.  They are generally intended to protect and transmit material from daily life gathered at the time and place of commemoration to the future. 

They are usually buried under a plaque or other signage and the practice is generally considered to be quite recent in origins.  The oldest examples are from the 18th century, though the practice of filling a cylinder or other air and watertight vessel with everyday objects has become increasingly commonplace since the mid twentieth century.

In 1988 a time capsule was buried prior to the opening of the first Sydney Football Stadium.  A list of its contents is attached.  On opening it to examine the objects I was surprised by two things -  cigarette manufacturers used to advertise on sporting programs and that sport’s apparel like football jerseys were mostly manufactured in Australia.