The United States has closed a large time capsule to mark its 250th anniversary, and among the many artifacts chosen to represent modern America there is one thing that almost everyone today can recognize: the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The stainless steel capsule, weighing about 900 pounds (about 400kg), was buried in Philadelphia as part of the country’s semiquincentennial celebrations. It is scheduled to remain closed for the next 250 years, with plans to reopen in 2276 during America’s 500th anniversary celebrations.
While the capsule contains historical relics, cultural artifacts, and national offerings, the inclusion of Apple’s latest flagship smartphone shows how central mobile technology is to everyday life.
A snapshot of America in 2026 – technology included
Unlike traditional time capsules that focus more on historical memorabilia, this project aims to preserve a broader picture of contemporary American society. Organized by America250, the collection includes contributions from all 50 states, five US territories, and several cultural and sports organizations.
Among its most talked about content is the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to the organizers, the device contains digital artifacts stored in the notes application, giving future generations a glimpse into everyday life in 2026 – assuming the hardware remains functional after two and a half centuries.
That is still an important question. Modern lithium-ion batteries tend to degrade after years instead of centuries, making it very unlikely that the phone will work in 2276 without replacement. Still, the device serves as a metaphor for the smartphone era, like the typewriter or rotary phones that represent earlier generations today.
The capsule also contains AI-generated feedback from Anthropic’s Claude, sent by California, imagining what the landscape might look like in the next 250 years. Other artifacts include a feather from “Old Abe,” the Civil War bald eagle mascot donated by Wisconsin, a piece of cloth from the Wright brothers’ 1903 airplane sent by Ohio, a bone from an endangered North Atlantic whale donated by Maine, an Arkansas diamond, a traditional New Mexico cookie recipe, and Oklahoma City Celebration memorabilia. 2025 NBA Championship.
Interestingly, not all proposed artifacts made the final cut
Engineers rejected the American football after deciding it would collapse before the capsule was opened.
Designing something to survive 250 years underground required a lot of engineering. After testing many scenarios, engineers chose a stainless steel cylinder to minimize seams where moisture could enter. The capsule sits inside an insulating metal shell that creates a protective air pocket, while the indium layer provides an additional airtight seal. Important documents are also kept in a separate locked area for added security.
The Philadelphia capsule is one of two large time capsules created for America’s 250th anniversary. The second capsule, unveiled in Washington, is intended to celebrate the nation’s 500th anniversary, although its contents remain secret.
For many people alive today, the iPhone may be the artifact that holds the title. But 250 years from now, it may be another historical curiosity — giving future Americans a reminder of how people communicate, document their lives, and view technology during the nation’s 250th birthday.
