Relic from last century
During excavation for MIT.nano, the Department of Facilities unearthed an unexpected relic between buildings 12 and 26: a time capsule buried on June 5, 1957, to commemorate the opening of the Karl Taylor Compton Laboratories. While the object initially appeared to be part of an existing utility system, upon further inspection staff members confirmed that it was, in fact, a time capsule containing historical artifacts. The discovery of the time capsule came as a surprise, offering an interesting look at MIT’s past, according to Deborah Douglas, director of collections for the MIT Museum. “MIT likes to be rational and future-oriented, but this is a remarkably sentimental activity and sweet moment,” Douglas says. “I think it reminds us of a community that also likes to mark special occasions and moments.” President James R. Killian Jr. and professor of electrical engineering Harold “Doc” Edgerton buried the container in the spring of 1957, five days before...