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Behind the Story: The Crypt of Civilization

Behind the Story: The Crypt of Civilization

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 On this episode of Old Time Radio Snack Wagon, we feature an installment of Behind the Story narrated by Marvin Miller: The Crypt of Civilization. This fascinating program, originally broadcast by the Armed Forces Radio Service, explores one of the most ambitious time capsule projects in history.

Conceived in 1936 by Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, president of Oglethorpe University, the “Crypt of Civilization” was designed to preserve a record of human culture and knowledge for 6,000 years. Sealed in 1939, the crypt holds microfilm books, recordings, everyday artifacts, and even devices meant to help future civilizations understand English. This episode dives into the origins, challenges, and aspirations of the project, raising timeless questions about what we choose to preserve and how we imagine the distant future.

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Relevant Links
  • Oglethorpe University: The Crypt of Civilization – official background on the project.
  • Smithsonian Magazine: The World’s First Time Capsule – an in-depth look at the crypt’s history and significance.
  • New Georgia Encyclopedia: Crypt of Civilization – historical context and details of what was included


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