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View Winners → Who Knew? Time Capsule Opened After 50 Years Creates Quite a Stink – Literally!
Arcadia Weekly Nov 13, 2015
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Photos by Terry Miller
By Terry Miller
After all the speeches and accolades were delivered and proclamations presented by politicians last Thursday, an Arcadia Chamber of Commerce event once again created quite a brouhaha.
Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick opened the much lauded ‘Time Capsule’ placed 50 years ago this month in honor of the birth of the iconic chamber building. Hettrick did, in fact, fully disclose that the contents might be anti-climactic but even he couldn’t have known what was about to happen.
When finally opened to reveal the contents placed half a century ago, guests of the event started placing their hands over their noses as the stench was just too much to take.
Apparently, some Arcadia archive film (probably 35mm/ and or 8 millimeter) was included in the time capsule and was not protected from elements well enough to prevent deterioration and subsequent decomposition of chemicals used to develop film, one of which is known as ‘Fixer’ which contains silver halides. In fact, film, we now know, needs to be frozen to be preserved. Perhaps in 1965 that knowledge was not available.
One can only imagine how in 50 years the contents of the new time capsule will endure the test of time. Stop by the Chamber in November 2065 to find out. Bring your gas masks.
