Yahoo Time Capsule
| Company type | Digital initiative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital media |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Jonathan Harris |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Digital archive of user-submitted content (text, audio, photos, videos) |
| Parent | Yahoo! Inc. |
The Yahoo! Time Capsule, developed by Jonathan Harris, represented a digital initiative by Yahoo! Inc. that encouraged individuals to submit content depicting everyday life in 2006. Originally, the plan was to send this collection via laser from a Mexican pyramid as a message intended for extraterrestrial beings. The campaign, active from October 10 to November 8, 2006, amassed a total of 170,857 contributions, with the majority of participants falling within the 20–29 age bracket.
Authorities in Mexico refused permission to use the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan due to concerns about potential harm to the structure. Consequently, the culminating event was relocated to Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico, where submissions were projected live for 18 hours onto a red rock cliff. This presentation was complemented by traditional performances and international folk music provided by Smithsonian Folkways. Environmental media artist Marc Herring produced the event, which employed projection technology supplied by Quince Imaging.
Following the project's conclusion, the digital archive was transferred to Smithsonian Folkways in Washington D.C., remaining there until Yahoo!'s 25th anniversary in 2020. The Time Capsule is recognized as one of the most extensive digital media collections of its nature.
Participants were able to upload text, audio recordings, photographs, and videos, as well as explore entries, leave comments, and share material. Contributors also voted among seven charitable organizations—including the World Wildlife Fund, UNICEF, and Grameen Foundation—which collectively received a $100,000 donation from Yahoo!, distributed according to the voting outcomes.
By early 2020, industry experts expressed skepticism about whether the capsule would be reopened amid Yahoo!'s decline. Nevertheless, on March 2, 2020, during a company-wide meeting, the Time Capsule was officially relaunched.
See also
External links
- Reflections on the Time Capsule – Jonathan Harris
- Herring Media Group