The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

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June 19, 2007

Tulsa's innovative time capsule should inspire others

Although the vault failed and the car turned to rust, the innovation and excitement generated by the unearthing of the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in Tulsa last week should serve as an inspiration for Tulsa, Oklahoma City or some other Oklahoma community to try it again!

It’s been exciting and fun to see the old film footage of when Tulsans buried the pristine new car back in 1957. They were so excited about the future and the possibilities. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of the state with gusto, and set in motion an exciting celebration of Oklahoma’s 100th birthday 50 years later.

The fact Tulsans came up with this idea 50 years ago just shows how innovation and positive attitude can affect the future. Because of their idea, Tulsa was the talk of the nation last week. Folks from around the country and the world traveled to Tulsa to see the car unearthed. Would it be in good condition? Would it start? Who would win it?

You can’t buy this kind of positive publicity, and it was a great legacy to leave the town and the state 50 years ago.

Now that we know what happened, and we also have better technology and materials, wouldn’t it be a cool idea to do it again? Certainly engineers could figure out a way to make a new vault that would hold up better. Think of how far our state has come in the last 50 years, and where we could be in another 50 years?

Fifty years ago, people had the idea automobiles might be obsolete. We pretty much know automobiles will still be around 50 years from now, but what will they be running on? As for the car that could be used as a time capsule, we recommend a hybrid. They’re the newest and hottest thing expected to lead to the future of all automobiles.

Tulsa already has a big hole at the courthouse. How about leaving another legacy for the folks 50 years from now?

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