| Mike Foran, Public Affairs Officer,
Regional Office, wrote:
Bill Rucker recently called me and asked about
the time capsule that was buried in front of the old RO. Bill had
some questions. I ask Robert Williams, the
Services Section Team Lead to find the answers. Robert wrote up
the following.
Attached are pictures of the items that were in the time capsule.
I hope that this answers any questions that any retired FAA employees
may have had. If you or any of the other members have any
questions please feel free to contact me. mike
1962 TIME CAPSULE(by Robert Williams)
In October, 1993 the FAA moved from 3400 Norman Berry Drive after
occupying the building in 1962. Sometime around October/November
1993, Ted Beckloft, the FAA's Regional Administrator, dispatched
employees Mike Shelnult and Warren Ballard to the 3400 Norman Berry
Drive building with instructions to retrieve the time capsule.
At first glance, Mike, Warren and the building manager thought that
heavy equipment would be required to dig up the time capsule.
There were discussions about removing part of the roof to gain access
for the equipment. Excavation cost estimates ranged from $28,000
to $68,000. Finally, Mike or Warren, neither could remember whom,
suggested trying to open it with a crowbar. The building
manager didn't have any concern that such a low risk effort would damage
his property and granted them permission to give it a shot. After
applying
considerable elbow grease to the job at hand, Mike and Warren were able
to remove the cover plate.
Warren stated that he was quite surprised that they were able to open
the capsule so easily. Unfortunately, he was as disappointed at
the damage that the elements had invoked on the capsule itself.
Rumor has it that the area around 3400 Norman Berry was once swamp-like
land. The 1962 FAA team had the foresight to place sand in the
bottom of the hole hoping to created enough drainage to
keep the copper capsule dry. Another 3 to 4 inches of sand might
have done the trick. But, time and moisture did what it does and
about three inches of the capsule corroded through and allowed the
moisture in.
The contents of the time capsule was placed on display in 1994 during
the Fourth
of July celebration sponsored by the FA Club.
The photographs at the bottom of the capsule was unrecognizably
crumbled. We found remnant of letters to the FAA specifically for
inclusion in the time
capsule written by:
The Honorable U. S. Senator Richard B. Russell;
The Administrator of the FAA, dated May 15, 1962;
GSA's Region 4 in Atlanta, dated May 14, 1962;
The office of Piedmont Airlines dated May 7, 1962, making reference to
its plan to begin service to Atlanta sometime later that year;
Daniel Sinkler, Assistant Vice President, Eastern Airlines;
South Atlantic Division of the U. S. Corps of Engineers;
Richard C. Freeman, Vice Chairman, Aviation Committee, Atlanta Board of
Aldermen; Dekalb County; and Fulton County's Commissioner of Roads and
Revenue.
Two newspapers were included in the time capsule. We have not
unfolded them in fear of causing further damage to them. A reel
tape in a metal container was completely corroded through; any film in
it was indistinguishable from the rusted container.
The most preserved item was a flat 5" x 5" x ¼" box
completely wrap in masking tape, labeled WS[B] RADIO. The masking
tape shows absolutely no sign of damage. We have made no attempt
to unwrap the box, therefore, the contents and the
condition of the content are unknown.
|
THOSE
WERE THE DAYS - PAGE 9
