The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has completed a time capsule designed to remain dry and intact for 250 years. The capsule, weighing approximately one ton, consists of precision-milled stainless-steel cylinders encased in a bell jar to trap air and prevent water ingress. It will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, near the Liberty Bell, and sealed with a compression seal made of indium wire to ensure airtightness. Items included in the capsule, such as artifacts, documents, and artworks, were stored in acid-free archival boxes under controlled conditions. The design relies on simple physics rather than mechanical systems to safeguard contents until 2276. A photograph of the NIST team involved in the project was also included to document its creation.
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