If you had a time machine, what year would you travel to?
From The Victorian Era to a Beatles rooftop show, here are the 11 answers to the question, “If you could travel to any year in a time machine, what year would you choose and why?”
- The Victorian Era of The 19th century
- The 1950s Was An Era of Vibrancy and Excitement
- Travel to 1985 to Experience The Rise of Gaming Systems
- 2020 For More Soul Searching
- Travel to the Future of 2090
- 1982 Was a Phenomenal Year in Pop Culture
- April 14, 1561 – Nuremberg, Germany to Witness a Celestial Phenomenon
- 1963 To Experience The Hippie Movement
- Experience The Boldness of The 1980s
- The Enlightenment Period of The 18th Century
- January 30, 1969 – Witness The Beatles Rooftop Gig in London
The Victorian Era of The 19th century
If I could travel to any year, it’d be the late 19th century, specifically the Victorian Era.
In the jewelry world, the Victorian era was known as a sort of jewelry renaissance. Colonial exploits increased the supply of rare minerals and gems, which made some diamonds and opals affordable for the very first time. Most pieces during this time were made from pure gold but occasionally topped with silver.
Overall, the Victorian era was an extremely innovative time for the jewelry industry.
dan potter, Co-Founder, CRAFTD
The 1950s Was An Era of Vibrancy and Excitement
If I could travel to any year in a time machine, I would go back to the 1950s. The 1950s was an era of vibrancy and excitement, marked by a surge in popular culture and creativity. From the emergence of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe as icons of American culture, to the introduction of television sets into people’s homes, there were many historic events that shaped the future of our world.
A particular moment that stands out for me is when President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956, which established the interstate highway system — an engineering marvel that connected people from coast to coast and revolutionized transportation in America.
Aviad Faruz , CEO, FARUZO
Travel to 1985 to Experience The Rise of Gaming Systems
I would travel to 1985! I love the 80s and would like to experience the music and culture. 1985 would put me right in the middle of an awesome decade.
I am fascinated by the world of music videos and big hair bands. Gaming systems were on the rise with Nintendo launching Super Mario Brothers; computers were beginning to be used. Fashion was great with the tight-rolled jeans, big hair, and neon colors.
The 1980s also represent a much more relaxed period of time. It was before terrorists became a reality. America wasn’t at war. There weren’t school shootings. Kids could just be kids – really cool kids!
Chandler Rogers , CEO, Relay
2020 For More Soul Searching
Personally, I would travel back to 2020. This may come as a shock to many, especially in the industry I am in which is travel, as it seemingly contradicts my business and hobby.However, I think that I did my most important traveling during the pandemic. I had been inside so long that even the smaller places felt completely refreshing. This was especially true when restrictions were less strict, as I was able to travel with my friends again.I also was able to explore more local places. When the world is your oyster, you are likely to go to places that juxtapose each other in order to experience vastly different cultures. When you stay local, though, you can find the diamond in the rough, which is more often than you think. You come to appreciate your hometown, and you find a little bit of yourself in there too.
Aiden Higgins , Senior Editor and Writer, The Broke Backpacker
Travel to the Future of 2090
If I could travel back in time to any year, I would choose 2090. By this time, technology will have advanced to the point where our lives will be drastically different. Telepathy and flying cars will be among the new modes of communication and transportation available to people.
Through virtual reality, we will be able to access information and data from anywhere in the world, and the internet will be fast and powerful. Cities will be teeming with people and technology in 2090, and the environment will be much cleaner and healthier than it is now.
We will have developed renewable energy sources to power our homes and cities, and the air will be clean. Because of the advancement of advanced spacecraft, we will be able to explore the solar system.
Steve Harris , Founder, Dailydogstuff
1982 Was a Phenomenal Year in Pop Culture
A new wave of pop culture occurred in 1982 and nothing would be the same afterward. So many great movies, songs, and television shows were launched that year.
People look to it as one of the best-ever years for movie-making. “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” led the pack of great movies, which also included “Ghandi,” “Tootsie,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and “The Verdict.” In terms of music? Forget about it. That was the year “Thriller” came out, as well as “Nebraska,” “1999,” “Imperial Bedroom,” “Combat Rock,” “The Dreaming” and more. On television, “Cheers” premiered that year, as did “St. Elsewhere,” “Family Ties,” and “Remington Steele.” Oh, and “Late Night with David Letterman” also premiered, which changed the face of late-night television during the next 40 years.
I would go back to 1982 just for the impact it had on the world in terms of pop culture.
Emily Saunders , Chief Revenue Officer, eLuxury
April 14, 1561 – Nuremberg, Germany to Witness a Celestial Phenomenon
If I could travel to any date in a time machine, it would be April 14, 1561, to Nuremberg, Germany. So, I could witness something as extraordinary and awe-inspiring as this firsthand.
On that day, there was a celestial phenomenon over Nuremberg that multiple eyewitnesses documented. The phenomenon was described as a large, black triangular object seen in the sky, accompanied by several spherical objects flying in formation. The objects were seen for about an hour and were witnessed by many people in the city.
Some of the witnesses reported that the objects made a loud noise as they moved through the sky. The event was widely reported at the time and was even depicted in a woodcut that was published in a local newspaper. Some historians have suggested that the phenomenon may have been a UFO or some other form of extraterrestrial visitation, while others believe it may have been a natural phenomenon misidentified by the witnesses.
Burak Özdemir , Founder, Online Alarm Kur
1963 To Experience The Hippie Movement
If I could use a time machine, I’d travel to 1963. It’s because of the counterculture hippie movement. Hippies have fascinated me since I read their motto: “Today is life, tomorrow never comes” when I was a free-spirited teenager. The hippie subculture began its development as a youth movement in the United States in the early 1960s so I wouldn’t miss anything historically important.
Looking back at the flower children from today’s perspective could be an unforgettable experience, I believe. It would be also cool to see my parents at the age of three, which is how old my son is now.
Agata Szczepanek , Community Manager, LiveCareer
Experience The Boldness of The 1980s
If I could travel to any year in a time machine, I’d choose the 1980s without hesitation. This decade was a golden age of fashion, music, and pop culture; one that will never be forgotten. The clothes were outrageous, the music was iconic and it was an era where anything seemed possible.I’m sure we can all remember how huge shoulder pads were back then – you couldn’t leave home without them!
But more than just fashion trends, the music of this era still lives on today through current remixes and nods from modern artists who appreciate its influence. Whether it’s Michael Jackson or Madonna – these icons remain timeless and are still appreciated by many generations across the world.In addition to great style and awesome tunes, this period had something special about it – an atmosphere of exploration which encouraged people to take risks and make bold decisions with confidence.
Jamie Irwin , Director, Straight Up Search
The Enlightenment Period of The 18th Century
I think I’d love to go to the late 18th century and experience the Enlightenment period firsthand. So much knowledge was accumulated during this time, and living in this period would give me the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the greatest minds of the time, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I would love to see the great advances in science and philosophy that were being made and to learn how amazing thinkers of the age were pushing the boundaries of progress. Being able to see inventions like the steam engine come to fruition and be able to witness firsthand what life was like at the time would be a unique experience. Plus, I could take in all the culture and learn something new every day.
Dan Troha , Founder, Trivia Bliss
January 30, 1969 – Witness The Beatles Rooftop Gig in London
I would set my time pod to drop me off at noon GMT on January 30, 1969, on the Apple Corps rooftop, 3 Saville Row, London, England, to witness the Beatles rooftop gig in person. I would even get there earlier to help lug Ringo’s drum kit up to the roof. The constables would know I was a time traveler and grant me an all-access pass. I’d scout the best place to stand for the 42-minute set and even try to finesse my way into camera range to prove to others I was there. (I can substantiate my claim now that Peter Jackson has archived and mainstreamed the footage.)
Of course, I would be invited to the after-party, after which I would board my pod and be transported back to the present day. After all, I have many current responsibilities and can’t afford to hang out in the past for a whole year.
JD GERSHBEIN , Speaker | Facilitator | Consultant | Producer, Owlish Communications
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