Back To The Future Day

The Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey Fun of Time Travel

Every year on October 21st, we step into our proverbial DeLoreans, set our clocks to 88 mph, and brace ourselves for some flux capacitor-fueled time travel in celebration of Back to the Future Day. It's the date in 1989 when Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and Jennifer Parker journeyed from 1985 to the (then far-off) year of 2015 in Back to the Future Part II. Little did the filmmakers know, their vision of 2015 would give us not only hoverboards and self-lacing sneakers (which we're still waiting for, by the way) but an entire day dedicated to bending the space-time continuum.

A Brief History of Time Travel (No, Not That Book)

Time travel has long been the stuff of human imagination. From H.G. Wells' The Time Machine to the wild escapades of Doctor Who, we’ve been obsessed with the idea of breaking free from the shackles of linear time. But real-life time travel is a bit like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—it sounds like a great idea, but you’ll probably end up frustrated and out of screws.

Physicists, bless their time-obsessed hearts, have debated for decades whether time travel is even possible. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity makes it seem like a distant possibility, though practical time travel still remains in the realm of science fiction. Apparently, flux capacitors aren’t real—sorry, Doc Brown fans.

What’s Up With 88 MPH?

In the Back to the Future universe, time travel occurs when you drive a DeLorean car at exactly 88 miles per hour. Why 88, you ask? Well, there are a few fun theories out there. Some fans think 88 is a reference to the infinity symbol (two eights stacked together), symbolizing infinite timelines. Others believe it’s just a cool number that sounded fast enough to do the trick. Either way, when you hear that iconic number, you know something time-bending is about to go down. Don’t forget to add some sparks and a trail of fire while you're at it—because what’s time travel without a little flair?

Let’s talk about Back to the Future II’s vision of 2015. While we didn’t quite get the flying cars, and fax machines were already on the way out by the time 2015 rolled around, the filmmakers were remarkably prescient about a few things. Flat-screen TVs? Check. Video calls? Double check (though they didn’t mention Zoom fatigue). As for Jaws 19? Well, let’s just say that cinema’s obsession with sequels hasn’t slowed down, even if giant killer sharks haven’t made a comeback.

The Back to the Future version of 2015 also featured power-lacing shoes and hoverboards—both of which had fans eagerly awaiting their arrival. And while Nike did release a limited edition of power-lacing shoes (complete with a hefty price tag), hoverboards remain more of a viral-video stunt than an actual mode of transportation. Sorry, Marty.

Paradoxes and Predicaments: The Real Headache of Time Travel

Time travel is a complicated business, and every good time traveler knows about the dreaded time paradox. The grandfather paradox, for example, is the idea that if you went back in time and accidentally eliminated your grandfather before he had children, you’d prevent your own existence. But if you never existed, you couldn’t have gone back in time to eliminate him in the first place, right? Cue the brain cramp.

Then there’s the butterfly effect, which teaches us that even the smallest changes in the past can have massive repercussions in the future. Step on a butterfly in the Jurassic period, and suddenly, dinosaurs are running your local coffee shop. Time travel might be fun in movies, but in reality, it’s a tangled web of paradoxes waiting to unravel.

Where Are the DeLoreans Now?

The DeLorean DMC-12, the stainless steel star of the Back to the Future trilogy, became synonymous with time travel and pop culture coolness. Despite being a financial flop in real life (the car was produced for just a few years in the early 1980s), Back to the Future gave it a second life. Fans of the franchise can even find replicas at conventions, and there’s always a chance you’ll see a DeLorean cruising down the street on October 21st. Just remember: if it hits 88 mph, you might want to duck.

Celebrating Back to the Future Day

Wondering how to celebrate Back to the Future Day? Good news—you don’t need a flux capacitor or plutonium to enjoy the festivities.

1. Marathon the Trilogy: Whether you’re revisiting the films or experiencing them for the first time, set aside a few hours to enjoy the wild ride that is the Back to the Future trilogy. Keep an eye out for all those little details you may have missed, like the mayor in 1955 who ends up being a homeless man in 1985—talk about a fall from grace.

2. Dress Like Marty: Channel your inner time traveler by sporting Marty McFly’s signature look: puffy red vest, jeans, and sneakers. Bonus points if you can pull off that 80s hairstyle.

3. Drink a Pepsi Perfect: One of the most memorable products from Back to the Future II was Pepsi Perfect. While it didn’t take off quite like regular Pepsi, you can still track down a limited-edition bottle to sip while you dream of alternate timelines.

4. Build a LEGO DeLorean: LEGO released a special Back to the Future set featuring a miniature DeLorean. It might not help you travel through time, but it’s the next best thing—plus, no fuel is required!

So, will time travel ever be possible? Experts are still scratching their heads, but for now, it remains the stuff of imagination. Perhaps in another 30 years, we'll revisit Back to the Future and marvel at how 2023 turned out—will we finally have flying cars, or will we still be debating the merits of pineapple on pizza?

As we wait to find out, let’s raise a toast to Back to the Future Day and the glorious, quirky, and paradox-filled joy that time travel brings into our lives. And remember: your future hasn’t been written yet, so make it a good one!

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