2. Other

John Brashear Time Capsule

On March 24, 2015 I was inspecting the remains of the Brashear Factory when a member of the demolition crew announced to me he found a time capsule in the cornerstone of the building a few days ago. The decision was made to open the time capsule after several days of calls to various societies and organizations without results. We believed the entire event could be documented by the cameras we had available, and so all four of us watched in wonder as a small brass box sealed with solder was opened for the first time since John A. Brashear took his last look at its contents 121 years ago.

Note: Pictures here maybe used for news and educational purposes ONLY if full credit is cited as "Image by Al Paslow".

Images subject to Copyright © 2015 Al Paslow. Questions? contact me ---- alpaslow@gmail.com

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  • A Panoramic view of the demolition site of the John Brashear Factory as it appeared on Monday March 23, 2015 at 2:49 pm EDT one day prior before the the time capsule was opened. Brashear's tan-sided residence appears at the far right side of the image behind the tree. Image - Al Paslow

    A Panoramic view of the demolition site of the John Brashear Factory as it appeared on Monday March 23, 2015 at 2:49 pm EDT one day prior before the the time capsule was opened. Brashear's tan-sided residence appears at the far right side of the image behind the tree. Image - Al Paslow

  • The Time capsule prior to opening on Tuesday March 24, 2015 with Jadell Minnifield

    The Time capsule prior to opening on Tuesday March 24, 2015 with Jadell Minnifield

  • Inspection to determine best side to open.

    Inspection to determine best side to open.

  • Members of the demolition crew.

    Members of the demolition crew.

  • A small bar was used to carefully pry the box from the solder.

    A small bar was used to carefully pry the box from the solder.

  • Carefully analyzing what to do next!

    Carefully analyzing what to do next!

  • Additional but slight leverage applied.

    Additional but slight leverage applied.

  • The capsule was inverted to carefully pry along the solder bead.

    The capsule was inverted to carefully pry along the solder bead.

  • continuing ever so slowly....

    continuing ever so slowly....

  • This notice was found within the first papers of the time capsule opened in front of a small crowd of four individuals which included myself. I am holding the letter in this image.

    This notice was found within the first papers of the time capsule opened in front of a small crowd of four individuals which included myself. I am holding the letter in this image.

  • The lid was removed and contents removed and kept in their original order.

    The lid was removed and contents removed and kept in their original order.

  • This was among the first items removed from the Time capsule.

    This was among the first items removed from the Time capsule.

  • Time capsule box inscribed by "E Miller" who was an employee of Brashear.

    Time capsule box inscribed by "E Miller" who was an employee of Brashear.

  • While a number of newspapers were found the earliest one dated 1891 but this one dated August 9, 1894 was of the most recent.

    While a number of newspapers were found the earliest one dated 1891 but this one dated August 9, 1894 was of the most recent.

  • A piece of optical glass was found tucked neatly in between the old newspapers.

    A piece of optical glass was found tucked neatly in between the old newspapers.

  • This is a piece of optical glass with an inscription that reads "One of the first pieces of optical Glass Made in America". "May we hope that when this ---? stone is opened for America"(s) use in this land...... (?)

    This is a piece of optical glass with an inscription that reads "One of the first pieces of optical Glass Made in America". "May we hope that when this ---? stone is opened for America"(s) use in this land...... (?)

  • As found....

    As found....

  • Next we found this.

    Next we found this.

  • Here we noticed one of at least two sets of the new shop drawings.

    Here we noticed one of at least two sets of the new shop drawings.

  • This booklet was in truly excellent condition as new with no signs of wear. It featured pictures and history of William Thaw who funded much of Brashear's work.

    This booklet was in truly excellent condition as new with no signs of wear. It featured pictures and history of William Thaw who funded much of Brashear's work.

  • Beautiful condition.

    Beautiful condition.

  • Picture of Brashears exhibit at the Molas Columbian Exposiion 1892.

    Picture of Brashears exhibit at the Molas Columbian Exposiion 1892.

  • Inscribed "Our exhibit at the Molas Columbian Exposition Chicago 1892. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition

    Inscribed "Our exhibit at the Molas Columbian Exposition Chicago 1892. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition

  • Here is an image of John Brashear's father - Basil Brown Brashear, in remarkable condition.

    Here is an image of John Brashear's father - Basil Brown Brashear, in remarkable condition.

  • Picture of Brashear's mother - Julia Smith Brashear.

    Picture of Brashear's mother - Julia Smith Brashear.

  • Untitled photo
  • This contains a lock of hair from Brashear's wife - Phoebe Brashear. This envelope was not opened and the lock is easily visible by holding the envelope up into the sky. It reads.."A lock of my wife's hair. It was she that stood by me through the darkest hours and whose good cheer and helping hands and loving sympathy were prime factors in my success. JAB"

    This contains a lock of hair from Brashear's wife - Phoebe Brashear. This envelope was not opened and the lock is easily visible by holding the envelope up into the sky. It reads.."A lock of my wife's hair. It was she that stood by me through the darkest hours and whose good cheer and helping hands and loving sympathy were prime factors in my success. JAB"

  • Untitled photo
  • The name Mr. Carnegie appears on this envelope.

    The name Mr. Carnegie appears on this envelope.

  • Untitled photo
  • This was apparently a note from the employees of John Brashears shop. The letter reads "The governor or "Pa" as the boys of the shop call him st the building or (?) laying this corner stone he is 53 years old 9 months and 28 (?) days old. The date at the bottom reads August 14, 1894.

    This was apparently a note from the employees of John Brashears shop. The letter reads "The governor or "Pa" as the boys of the shop call him st the building or (?) laying this corner stone he is 53 years old 9 months and 28 (?) days old. The date at the bottom reads August 14, 1894.

  • One of the crew looks on in amazement!

    One of the crew looks on in amazement!

  • "James McDonald Superintendent Optical Shop and partner. One of the finest workmen in the ----- . Came up the ranks. JAB".

    "James McDonald Superintendent Optical Shop and partner. One of the finest workmen in the ----- . Came up the ranks. JAB".

  • Untitled photo
  • Effie McDowell.

    Effie McDowell.

  • reverse of picture. Effie McDowell wife of our Jimmy.

    reverse of picture. Effie McDowell wife of our Jimmy.

  • Untitled photo
  • This was an picture of hail. The reverse gives the date.

    This was an picture of hail. The reverse gives the date.

  • A grading spectroscope perhaps.

    A grading spectroscope perhaps.

  • Untitled photo
  • This appears to be the spectroscope and spectrograph at the tail stock of the 30 inch Thaw Refractor at Allegheny Observatory.

    This appears to be the spectroscope and spectrograph at the tail stock of the 30 inch Thaw Refractor at Allegheny Observatory.

  • More Brashear wonderment

    More Brashear wonderment

  • View of Allegheny near Recreation park. Bose ball grounds. From near Henry Burgus Observatory. H.B. Photo.

    View of Allegheny near Recreation park. Bose ball grounds. From near Henry Burgus Observatory. H.B. Photo.

  • Not sure what observatory this maybe at this time.

    Not sure what observatory this maybe at this time.

  • Untitled photo
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    Time capsule box inscribed by "E Miller" who was an employee of Brashear.
    While a number of newspapers were found the earliest one dated 1891 but this one dated August 9, 1894 was of the most recent.
    A piece of optical glass was found tucked neatly in between the old newspapers.