100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
Summary
Host Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore explore the "Century Safe," a time capsule sealed in 1876 and opened by President Ford in 1976. They discuss the disappointing contents, which were mostly mundane items rather than profound historical artifacts, highlighting how preservation often favors the powerful. This story introduces their new series, "A History of the United States in 100 Objects," which uses everyday items to tell America's complex history.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Dell and Buick
Introduction: The Century Safe and the 1976 Bicentennial
The 1876 World's Fair and the rise of future-thinking
Anna Deem creates the Century Safe as a time capsule
The lost key and the political mood of 1976
President Ford opens the safe and sponsors: Buick, Article, LinkedIn, Squarespace
The disappointing contents of the Century Safe
Analyzing the objects: Preservation vs. Significance
Launching 'A History of the U.S. in 100 Objects'
Credits, guest bio, and final sponsors
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