WILMINGTON, DE — A demolition inspection team in Delaware unearthed a Gunther beer bottle containing a message from 1955 hidden within a wall of a house scheduled for destruction.
David, an inspector conducting a hazardous material survey, made the discovery along with his team. The bottle bore a note that read, “This bottle was put in here by the plumber on 3/25/55.”
In an interview with Newsweek, David said the find was unprecedented in his 17-year career, which spans over 3,000 inspections of various types of buildings and facilities. He noted that the rest of his team shared his astonishment.
David recalled that he initially suspected the bottle might contain urine, a not uncommon find given his extensive experience in the field. “I have seen that many times throughout my career,” he said. However, the team was relieved to learn the bottle was empty.
Once the message came to light, the team stopped work to marvel at the unexpected piece of history. Photos were taken, and speculation about the plumber and the context of 1955 filled the air.
David and his team are now considering options for preserving the bottle and its message for posterity.