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100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
99% Invisible
In 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story — to be opened a century later. Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore trace its long wait, from Reconstruction to Watergate, and the surprising, unsettling contents that emerged in 1976. What do the objects we choose to preserve — or forget — reveal about how we author our own history? A History of the United States in 100 Objects is a production of 99% Invisible and BBC Studios . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
View originalIn 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story — to be opened a century later. Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore trace its long wait, from Reconstruction to Watergate, and the surprising, unsettling contents that emerged in 1976. What do the objects we choose to preserve — or forget — reveal about how we author our own history? A History of the United States in 100 Objects is a production of 99% Invisible and BBC Studios . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Published
- May 19, 2026
- Status
- active
- GUID hash
- fe0b8e0c093efad40ff0e37fe4e8a2868286a0b76bbb9644146c85939a7869d3
- Archive key
- 100-objects-1-the-century-safe--entry_335eec6d399e7a85f66d6beb2f61
- Archive id
- entry_335eec6d399e7a85f66d6beb2f61