Time Machine
A time machine is a fictional device that enables time travel, a common concept in science fiction and popular culture. ''The Time Machine'' is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, first published in 1895, considered a foundational work in the genre.[1] Time machine may also refer to:Literature
The Time Machine (H. G. Wells novel)
The Time Machine is a science fiction novella written by H. G. Wells, first serialized in five installments in the New Review from January to May 1895.[2] It appeared as a book in 1895, published by William Heinemann in the United Kingdom and Henry Holt and Company in the United States, marking Wells's debut as a novelist.[3] The work originated from earlier short stories Wells wrote in the late 1880s and early 1890s, which he expanded into this cohesive narrative.[4] Wells revised the text multiple times, with a notable update for the 1924 Atlantic Edition collected works, and further editions appeared through his lifetime until his death in 1946.[5] These revisions refined the prose and clarified scientific concepts, reflecting Wells's evolving views on evolution and society.[6] The story is framed as a narrative recounted by an unnamed guest at a dinner party hosted by the unnamed protagonist, known only as the Time Traveller, a Victorian inventor and scientist.[7] The Time Traveller demonstrates a miniature model of his invention to his skeptical guests, including the red-haired Filby, the Psychologist, and others, before revealing the full-scale machine. He recounts his first journey aboard it to the year 802,701 AD, where he arrives in a seemingly idyllic world inhabited by the Eloi, a diminutive, childlike race living in communal luxury amid overgrown ruins. Befriending one Eloi named Weena, he soon discovers the darker reality: the Eloi are preyed upon by the subterranean Morlocks, ape-like creatures who maintain the surface world but dwell in shadows. The Time Traveller's machine is stolen, forcing him into the Morlock tunnels to retrieve it amid terror and fire. He escapes but presses further into the future, witnessing Earth's slow decay over 30 million years, including a beach overrun by giant crabs and the planet's final days under a bloated, dying sun, before returning to his era.[7] Three days later, the Time Traveller departs again with a camera and knapsack, vanishing permanently, leaving his guests—and the reader—to ponder his fate.[8] The novella's characters embody Wells's satirical lens on Victorian society. The Time Traveller serves as both explorer and unreliable narrator, his scientific curiosity tempered by horror at humanity's degeneration. Weena, the affectionate Eloi who clings to him like a pet, symbolizes fragile innocence and the loss of human vigor. The dinner guests, such as the doubting Filby and the silent observer, represent everyday rationality clashing with the extraordinary, underscoring themes of skepticism toward progress. The unnamed frame narrator, one of the guests who relays the tale eight days after the events, adds layers of ambiguity, questioning the story's veracity while affirming its emotional impact.[9] Central themes revolve around Social Darwinism and class division, portraying the Eloi as descendants of the idle upper class—beautiful but enfeebled—and the Morlocks as the evolved working class, industrious yet predatory, a critique of Britain's rigid social hierarchy and capitalist exploitation.[10] Wells extrapolates late 19th-century imperialism and inequality into a future where humanity splits into predators and prey, warning of degeneration if societal divides persist.[11] The narrative also examines technology's double-edged role in progress, with the time machine enabling discovery but revealing entropy's inexorability, influenced by contemporary evolutionary biology and physics.[12] Literarily, The Time Machine holds seminal status as the first depiction of a mechanical device for time travel, shifting the genre from philosophical speculation to technological adventure and profoundly influencing modern science fiction.[1] Wells drew on 19th-century physics, including ideas from Charles Hinton's fourth-dimensional theories, to ground the machine's operation in plausible science, though it predates relativity and anticipates concepts like time as a spatial dimension.[13] Its blend of adventure, satire, and speculation inspired countless works, from dystopian futures to time-travel tropes in literature and beyond. Upon release, the novella received enthusiastic reviews for its originality; the Pall Mall Gazette in June 1895 praised its "ingenious" invention and "thrilling" narrative, while the Spectator lauded Wells as a "new star" in fiction.[14] It sold over 6,000 copies in its first few months, establishing Wells's reputation and contributing to the genre's popularity.[15] By the early 20th century, its legacy endured through scholarly analysis and adaptations, cementing its role as a cornerstone of speculative fiction.Other literary works
The Bantam Time Machine series, published between 1984 and 1989, consists of 25 interactive choose-your-own-adventure novels designed for young readers, allowing them to assume the role of a time traveler navigating historical and scientific scenarios while making decisions that affect the outcome. Created by Byron Preiss Visual Publications and issued by Bantam Books, the series emphasizes educational content, blending adventure with factual insights into history, science, and culture to foster learning through engagement. Various authors contributed to the volumes, including Jim Gasperini, David Bischoff, Jane Yolen, and Deborah Lerme Goodman, with illustrations enhancing the immersive experience.[16][17] Key volumes in the series include Secret of the Knights (1984) by Jim Gasperini, where readers travel to 13th-century England to join the Knights Templar amid a quest involving ancient secrets and historical intrigue. Another prominent entry is The Rings of Saturn (1985) by Deborah Lerme Goodman, in which the protagonist journeys to the year 2025 to explore space stations orbiting Saturn, encountering futuristic technology and planetary mysteries while solving a crisis threatening Earth's colonies. Jane Yolen's Voyage to the Volcano (1985) sends readers to ancient Pompeii on the eve of the Vesuvius eruption, requiring choices to aid historical figures and uncover archaeological clues. The series also features specials like Time Machine Combo Pack sets, which bundled multiple titles for broader exploration. Critics noted the books' value in promoting historical awareness and scientific curiosity among children, though some observed that the branching narratives could occasionally prioritize entertainment over depth.[18][19][20] Beyond the Bantam series, other literary works bearing the title or closely related themes include The Time Ships (1995) by Stephen Baxter, an authorized sequel in which the Time Traveller from Wells' original narrative returns to rescue his companion Weena, embarking on multiverse-spanning adventures that expand on Victorian-era time travel concepts with hard science fiction elements. In young adult fiction, Alex Scarrow's TimeRiders (2010), the first in a nine-book series published by Puffin Books, follows three teenagers recruited moments before their deaths to safeguard the timeline using a sophisticated time machine, blending historical events like the Titanic sinking with high-stakes temporal interventions. Standalone short stories and novellas using the "Time Machine" motif appear in science fiction anthologies, such as those compiling post-Wells era tales focused on temporal paradoxes and exploratory voyages, often highlighting unique societal critiques distinct from earlier influences, including the 2010 anthology Timelines: Stories Inspired by H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, edited by Geoff Ryman and Marilyn Terrell, featuring original stories exploring time travel's implications across history and the future.[21] A more recent example is Falling Through Time: A Sequel to H.G. Wells' The Time Machine (2025) by R.A.L., which continues the narrative in a dystopian 22nd-century setting amid the ruins of London.[22] These works received acclaim for innovating on time travel tropes, with Baxter's novel praised for its rigorous physics integration and Scarrow's for accessible teen-oriented action.Film and television
Films
The first major cinematic adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel was released in 1960, directed and produced by George Pal for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).[23] The film stars Rod Taylor as the unnamed Time Traveller, Yvette Mimieux as Weena, and features supporting roles by Alan Young, Sebastian Cabot, and Whit Bissell.[24] Running 103 minutes, it deviates from the source material by setting the initial time jump to 1966, where a nuclear war destroys civilization, leading to the far-future world of the Eloi and Morlocks.[23] This alteration reflected Cold War anxieties, shifting the Traveller's motivation from intellectual curiosity to a quest for a utopian society post-apocalypse. The visual depiction of time travel employed innovative time-lapse photography, showing accelerating changes like crumbling buildings and evolving landscapes, which earned widespread praise for immersing audiences in temporal progression.[23] Special effects were handled by Gene Warren and Tim Baar, whose work on the time machine model—a brass and ivory contraption with crystal levers—and the Morlock caverns won the Academy Award for Best Special Effects at the 33rd Academy Awards. Produced on a budget of approximately $1 million, the film achieved commercial success, earning theatrical rentals of $2.61 million worldwide.[25] Critics lauded its adventurous spirit and effects, with a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on contemporary reviews.[26] In 2002, DreamWorks Pictures released a remake directed by Simon Wells, the great-grandson of H. G. Wells, with a screenplay by John Logan. Starring Guy Pearce as Alexander Hartdegen (renaming the protagonist), the 96-minute film updates the setting to 1899 New York and introduces a personal tragedy—Hartdegen's fiancée's death—driving his invention of the time machine.[27] Key cast includes Samantha Mumba as Mara (a reimagined Weena), Orlando Jones voicing the AI Vox, Mark Addy as Philby, and Jeremy Irons as the Über-Morlock.[27] Plot deviations include stops in 2030 at a lunar colony destroyed by an experiment gone wrong, emphasizing post-apocalyptic themes with asteroid impacts reshaping Earth, before reaching 802,701 AD. The production utilized early 2000s CGI for time travel sequences, rendering fluid transitions through historical and future events, including a scene of lunar debris crashing into a building (edited after release due to resemblance to the 9/11 attacks), contrasting the practical effects of the 1960 version.[28] With a budget of $80 million, it grossed $56.7 million domestically and $123.7 million worldwide but received mixed reviews, holding a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes for perceived deviations from the novel and uneven pacing.[29] Other adaptations include the 1978 made-for-television film produced by Sunn Classic Pictures, starring John Beck as the Time Traveller and Priscilla Barnes as Weena, which aired on NBC and closely follows the novel's plot with added educational elements for a family audience.[30] Running approximately 100 minutes, it emphasizes moral lessons about humanity's future and uses modest practical effects for time displacement.[31] In 1993, the fan-produced short "Time Machine: The Journey Back," narrated by Rod Taylor and featuring original cast members like Alan Young and Whit Bissell, serves as a pseudo-sequel and documentary, recreating scenes with the iconic prop and exploring the 1960 film's legacy through interviews. International efforts include lesser-known direct-to-video or regional productions, such as animated shorts, but none achieved the prominence of the Pal or Wells versions.[32] These films collectively highlight evolving techniques in visualizing time travel, from mechanical models to digital simulations, while adapting Wells' themes to contemporary societal fears.Television episodes
In the realm of television, episodes featuring time machines often draw inspiration from H.G. Wells' novel The Time Machine, exploring themes of temporal displacement, paradoxes, and societal critique through serialized formats. These narratives typically emphasize episodic resolutions within ongoing series, contrasting with standalone film adaptations by integrating time travel into character arcs and ensemble dynamics.[33] One prominent example is the 1985 Doctor Who serial "Timelash," a two-part story from the show's 22nd season starring the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) and companion Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant). Written by Glen McCoy and directed by Ron Jones, it aired on March 9 and 16, 1985, on BBC One. The plot centers on the tyrannical Borad (Tony Osoba), ruler of the planet Karfel, who uses a time corridor known as the Timelash to exile dissidents into prehistoric Earth, where they encounter reptilian creatures called Morlox—direct analogs to the Morlocks from Wells' novel. A young H.G. Wells (Mark Gaddis) appears as a guest character, witnessing events that inspire elements of his future writing, including the name "Vena" (played by Jeananne Crowley), which he notes as suggesting "Weena" for an Eloi-like figure. The episode resolves a temporal paradox when the Doctor uses the Timelash to return to Karfel and defeat Borad, highlighting ethical dilemmas of manipulating history.[34][35] The Twilight Zone (1959–1964), hosted by Rod Serling, featured several episodes involving rudimentary time machines, often as cautionary tales about human folly. In "Execution" (Season 1, Episode 26, aired April 1, 1960), written by Rod Serling and directed by Don Medford, a 19th-century murderer (Albert Salmi) is pulled into the present via a makeshift time machine built by scientist Paul Manion (Russell Johnson), only for the device to spark a chain of ironic consequences tied to the criminal's past.[36] Similarly, "Once Upon a Time" (Season 3, Episode 13, aired December 15, 1961), penned by Richard Matheson and directed by Norman Z. McLeod, depicts a 1890s bank teller (Buster Keaton) using a "time helmet" invented by a shopkeeper to visit 1961 New York, where sensory overload leads to a poignant decision about progress. These black-and-white installments underscore the series' anthology style, using time machines to probe nostalgia and technological hubris without recurring characters. Quantum Leap (1989–1993), created by Donald P. Bellisario, revolves around time travel ethics through Project Quantum Leap, a government experiment enabling leaps into past lives to "put right what once went wrong." A key episode, "Future Boy" (Season 5, Episode 13, aired May 26, 1992), written by Chris Ruppenthal and directed by Jonathan Sanger, sees Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) inhabit a 1957 comic book writer whose father (Michael McKean) prototypes a time machine based on incomplete string theory—mirroring Sam's own research. Guest star Teri Garr plays a skeptical editor, and the plot culminates in preventing a fatal test while preserving the father's legacy, emphasizing moral quandaries of altering invention timelines. The series, which aired on NBC, featured Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci and explored over 90 leaps, with time machines symbolizing redemption rather than conquest.[37] In the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Loki (2021–), time manipulation variants appear via the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a bureaucratic entity policing multiversal timelines. Season 1 (six episodes, premiered June 9, 2021, on Disney+), created by Michael Waldron and directed by Kate Herron, follows Loki (Tom Hiddleston) after stealing the Tesseract—a device enabling rudimentary time jumps—from 2012's Avengers events. Devices like the TemPad allow controlled resets, leading to prunings of divergent timelines, as seen in the finale where Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) kills He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors), branching infinite realities. Season 2 (six episodes, premiered October 5, 2023, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead) introduces time slipping, where Loki involuntarily traverses personal history to avert a temporal loom overload, resolving with him weaving a stabilized multiverse. These arcs, produced by Marvel Studios, adapt time machine concepts into ensemble superhero lore, focusing on free will versus predestination. Animated series have also incorporated time machines for comedic effect. Futurama's "The Late Philip J. Fry" (Season 6, Episode 7, aired August 30, 2010, on Comedy Central), written by Ron Weiner and directed by Peter Avanzino, features Professor Hubert Farnsworth (Phil LaMarr) unveiling a forward-only time machine to avoid paradoxes. Protagonist Philip J. Fry (Billy West), Bender (John DiMaggio), and Farnsworth test it, overshooting to 10,000 AD and witnessing cosmic rebirths, including a robot uprising and Leela's (Katey Sagal) descendants. The episode resolves a loop when they arrive in a future where a backward machine exists, allowing a return that alters Fry's fate without erasing history—earning acclaim for its philosophical humor on inevitability.[38][39] Rick and Morty (2013–), created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Adult Swim, typically avoids overt time travel but bends the rule in "Rattlestar Ricklactica" (Season 4, Episode 5, aired December 15, 2019), written by James Siciliano and directed by Anthony Chun. Here, Morty (Justin Roiland) accidentally introduces time travel to intelligent snakes via a crystal, sparking a war across eras that Rick (also Roiland) counters with a snake-revealing collar and temporal interventions, parodying Terminator-style loops. The plot, featuring guest voice Keith David as the snake leader, ends with a reset erasing the anomaly, reinforcing the show's rule against sustained time mechanics to preserve multiverse chaos. This episode highlights ethical absurdities, seen by 1.32 million viewers.Music
Albums
The term "Time Machine" has been used as an album title across various genres, often evoking themes of nostalgia, futurism, and temporal exploration in music. One early example in the electronic and hip-hop spheres is Time Machine by The Psychonauts, a 1998 mix album that serves as a retrospective of the Mo' Wax label's catalog. Released on Mo' Wax, it features contributions from DJ Shadow, including extended versions of tracks like "Organ Donor," blending instrumental hip-hop with downtempo beats. The tracklist includes seamless mixes of songs such as "357 Magnum Force" by La Funk Mob, "The Dream Machine" by Sukia, and "Midnight in a Perfect World" by DJ Shadow, creating a cohesive 48-minute journey through late-1990s trip-hop and electronica.[40] The album received praise for its innovative sampling and flow, influencing subsequent DJ mix compilations in the genre. In progressive rock, Alan Parsons' The Time Machine, released in 1999 by Mercury Records, explores conceptual storytelling with a blend of art rock and electronic elements. Produced by Parsons, known for his work on Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, the album features 11 tracks including "Out of the Blue," "So Far Away," and the title track "The Time Machine," which incorporates orchestral arrangements and synthesizers to mimic temporal shifts. Guests like Tony Kaye (Yes) on keyboards contributed to its layered sound. It achieved modest commercial success and was noted for its ambitious production. A prominent electronic release is Jean-Michel Jarre's Electronica 1: The Time Machine, issued in 2015 by Ultra Music. This collaborative album marks Jarre's return to innovative sound design, featuring 16 tracks with artists such as Tangerine Dream on "If...!" and Massive Attack's 3D on "What You Want." Key songs include "A Morning Reverie" and "Conquistador," fusing ambient, techno, and orchestral synths to reflect on four decades of electronic music evolution. The album debuted at number 49 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album.[41] In progressive rock revival, Nektar's Time Machine, a 2013 studio album on Cleopatra Records, revisits the band's 1970s space-rock roots with psychedelic influences. The 10-track effort, produced by the band's core members including drummer Ron Howden, includes "A Better Way," "Time Machine," and "Tranquility," characterized by extended jams, Mellotron layers, and themes of cosmic travel. It received positive fan reception for recapturing the group's classic sound and earning acclaim in prog circles for its authentic analog production. More recent indie and electronic entries include cehryl's time machine EP, released in 2021 by Nettwerk Music Group, which delves into introspective R&B and dream pop. The six-track EP, following her 2019 debut Slow Motion, features songs like "philadelphia" and "angels (emily)," using ethereal vocals and lo-fi production to explore personal growth and memory. It garnered attention in indie circles for its emotional depth, with streams exceeding 5 million on Spotify within the first year.[42] In 2024, Cats in Space released Time Machine on Cherry Red Records, a power pop and glam rock album channeling 1970s influences with upbeat melodies and orchestral flourishes. The 10 tracks, including "Time Machine" and "Too Hot for You," were produced to evoke Queen and Sweet, receiving strong reviews for its retro energy and peaking at number 4 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. K-pop artist Wonho's The Flower Time Machine, a 2024 full-length on Polarizon, blends psychedelic pop with electronic elements in a concept album about emotional time travel. Released in June, it includes 10 tracks like the title song and "Surrender," featuring vibrant synths and guest production. The album debuted at number 1 on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.[43]| Album | Artist | Year | Genre | Label | Key Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time Machine | The Psychonauts | 1998 | Electronic/Hip-Hop | Mo' Wax | Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul), Midnight in a Perfect World |
| The Time Machine | Alan Parsons | 1999 | Progressive Rock | Mercury | Out of the Blue, The Time Machine |
| Electronica 1: The Time Machine | Jean-Michel Jarre | 2015 | Electronic | Ultra Music | Glory, What You Want |
| Time Machine | Nektar | 2013 | Progressive Rock | Cleopatra | A Better Way, Time Machine |
| time machine (EP) | cehryl | 2021 | Indie Pop/R&B | Nettwerk | philadelphia, angels (emily) |
| Time Machine | Cats in Space | 2024 | Power Pop/Rock | Cherry Red | Time Machine, Too Hot for You |
| The Flower Time Machine | Wonho | 2024 | Psychedelic Pop | Polarizon | The Flower Time Machine, Surrender |