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The Helium Centennial
Time Columns Monument
The
Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument was erected
in Amarillo, Texas during 1968 to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the discovery of helium in the spectrum
of light from the Sun. The Amarillo site was selected
for the Monument because Amarillo has been the center
of activities related to helium since the government
purchased the helium-rich Cliffside Gas Field in 1927.
The Bureau of Mines placed the Amarillo Helium Plant
in operation in 1929 and has maintained its headquarters
for the Federal Helium Program in Amarillo since that
time.
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The
Time Columns Monument consists of four stainless
steel time capsules, which are to be opened 25,
50, 100, and 1,000 years from 1968. Three of the
columns form a tripod with legs approximately
37 feet long. The overall height of the Monument
is about 55 feet. Suspended from the intersection
are four spheres within two elliptical rings,
which represent the molecular structure of helium
- two neutrons and two protons orbited by two
electrons. Each Column has a theme represented
by the major artifacts sealed within it. The 25-year
Column symbolizes man's dependence on natural
resources; the 50-year Column, industry's use
of natural resources; the 100-year Column, Science's
development of natural resources; and the 1,000-year
Column, history of natural resources conservation
efforts. (The Federal Government's Helium Conservation
Program was designed to conserve a wasting irreplaceable
resource.) |
During
December of the Centennial year, about 4,000 items were
sealed in the Helium Time Columns, which contain an
inert helium atmosphere. Items range from common office
supplies to movie projectors, and include such things
as the genealogy of a Panhandle family, the history
of a Texas Panhandle County, and a dehydrated apple
pie; United States coins and currency of all denominations,
from 1 cent through $100; seeds of many flowers, vegetables,
and field crops; and books, literature, and film of
various phases of contemporary America. Of particular
interest are sealed predictions for the 25-year period
(1968-1993) submitted by 19 State Governors and placed
in the 25-year Column. An imaginative item is a passbook
for a $10 savings account from an Oklahoma City bank,
which draws 4 percent interest compounded annually until
2968. When the 1,000-year Column is opened, the account
will be worth over $1,000,000,000,000,000 ($1 quadrillion).
Proceeds from the account are payable to the Treasury
of the United States.
The
Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument was originally
erected at I-40 and Nelson. In 1982, it was airlifted
by Army helicopter to its present location at
the Don Harrington Discovery Center. Funding for
the Time Columns Monument and site was obtained
through contributions from individuals, and private
and public organizations, especially those companies
making the helium industry. In May of 1993, the
first capsule was opened during a two-day celebration
organized by the Silver Celebrations Committee.
A banquet, a balloon parade, a music and fireworks
show, a luncheon and the capsule opening ceremony
was attended by over 200 people. |
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