Examples of Time Travel
Video collage with narration and music, 2013

Words & collage: George Petros
Soundtrack: Robert Lund

This video collage looks at eras other than our own, as they might be viewed via technologies that capture images of past or future events. The video provides us an opportunity to see both backward and forward in time. As the viewer will see, there are no surprises in either direction; the more things change, the more they stay the same. Executed in iMovie HD on a Mac Mini, soundtrack created in GarageBand on a MacBook Pro, both running OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard).

Video snippets culled from the following sources, via the Prelinger Film Archives and YouTube. In order of appearance:

The Mystery of Time (US, 1957)
Moody Institute of Science — Educational Film Division
the fellow who plays me is Irwin A. Moon

Television static
Posted on YouTube by Chris Giliberto, 2012

What A Life (UK, 1949)
Written and Directed by Michael Law
Produced by Public Relationship Films
A Central Office of Information film
British Government Public Information Films

The Grapevine (US, 1958)
Produced by The Calvin Company
Presented by McGraw-Hill Book Company
in cooperation with
National Office Management Association

Hair Dress Through the Ages (US, 1950)
Produced by Paul F. Moss & Thelma Schnee
Almanac Films
State of Georgia Department of Education Film Library

Commodore 64 tape loading screen
Posted on YouTube by StockholmControversy, 2012

What the Future Will Look Like (UK, 1920)
Pathe newsreel
Associated British-Pathe Ltd.

Just Imagine (US, 1930)
Directed by David Butler
Produced by Buddy G. DeSylva
Fox Film Corporation

Things To Come (UK, 1936)
Directed by William Cameron Menzies
Produced by Alexander Korda
United Artists

Planet Exploding
Posted on YouTube by Brandon Butler, 2010

The Exploding Planet 2 B HF Comp.mp4
Posted on YouTube by Laticis Imagery, 2011

Audio snippets culled from the following sources, via the Prelinger Film Archives and YouTube, and various sound effects clips. In order of appearance:

The City (US, 1939)
Directed by Ralph Steiner & Willard Van Dyke
Music by Aaron Copland
Produced by American Documentary Films, Inc.
Civic Films, Inc.

Charley's March of Time (UK, 1948)
Halas & Batchelor Cartoon Films
Music by Matyas Seiber
British Government Public Information Films

Betty in Blunderland (US, 1933)
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Music by Sammy Timberg
Produced by Max Fleischer

Detour (US, 1945)
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
Musical Score by Erdody
Produced by Leon Fromkess