--- title: Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible? | TIME description: By 2010 we thought there would be jet packs and time machines. Science comedian Brian Malow explores the real science behind time travel. Will a time machine ever be possible? canonical: https://time.com/video/1ZIrpuBm/ og:title: Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible? og:description: By 2010 we thought there would be jet packs and time machines. Science comedian Brian Malow explores the real science behind time travel. Will a time machine ever be possible? og:url: https://time.com/video/1ZIrpuBm/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1ZIrpuBm/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible? twitter:description: By 2010 we thought there would be jet packs and time machines. Science comedian Brian Malow explores the real science behind time travel. Will a time machine ever be possible? twitter:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1ZIrpuBm/poster.jpg?width=720 --- # Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible? > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible? [Watch (HLS stream): Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1ZIrpuBm.m3u8) (3:36)  _Published 2010-01-05. By 2010 we thought there would be jet packs and time machines. Science comedian Brian Malow explores the real science behind time travel. Will a time machine ever be possible?_ --- Jul 27, 2023 1:17 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Internet Machine](/video/t9dK5wDj/) ### Internet Machine [Hot Tub Time Machine 2 | Green Band Trailer | Paramount Pictures International](/video/ffWreJ37/) ### Hot Tub Time Machine 2 | Green Band Trailer | Paramount Pictures International [Science Comedian Brian Malow on the Moon and Beyond](/video/O4ZlahLz/) ### Science Comedian Brian Malow on the Moon and Beyond --- ## Transcript >> As I went along, I gained experience in handling the machine. >> Ever since H. G. Wells penned the time machine, writers and readers alike have been in love with time travel. But lately, with the Time Traveler's Wife-- >> You told me this would happen. >> the new Star Trek film-- >> What is the current star date? >> Star date? >> lost heroes flash forward. Time travel seems to be experiencing a renaissance. America has time travel on the brain. >> Captain, I'm getting an unusual reading. >> But what about the science of time travel? Is there such a thing? Is there any chance it's possible? According to well- known physicist, Stephen Hawking, " No ." And the best evidence we have that time travel is impossible is that if they were ever invented, there would already be time- travelling tourists here amongst us. But I say, maybe there are. I mean, they're not gonna be obvious about it. They're gonna wear the clothes of our time, not silver spandex and leotards. And if they have pointy ears, they're gonna wear a ski cap over them. >> Speculation. >> Hell, I don't even know when there's another Jew around, let alone a time traveler. In fact, that's why every once in a while, when I meet a stranger, instead of asking them, " Where are you from ?" I like to ask, " When are you from ?" in the hope that I might trip one up. " When are you from ?" " 2170. When are you from ?" " Now ." Get in that. I told you they were real. We got one. Put him in a cage, poke him. That's what we do in our time. >> I'll try to get in and break your arm. >> If you're thinking maybe I should use something more advanced than a net, let me remind you. A net will always work. It's good, dependable technology. Anyway, he's from the future. He should have seen it coming. >> Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape. >> If I ever invented a time machine, the first trip I would take would be into the far future to get the more advanced model, instead of this clunky old DeLorean that doesn't have all the bugs worked out. I want one that's just a belt or a wristwatch. At Tulane University, there's a physicist, Frank Tipler, who demonstrated mathematically that a massive fast- spinning cylinder could warp space time in such a way to allow travel backwards in time. But once again, according to Stephen Hawking, the cylinder would have to be infinitely long, which could be an engineering problem. Another major argument against time travel is that it can lead to paradoxes. And if it can create a paradox, maybe it's just not possible. The classic time travel paradox is called the grandfather paradox. If you went back in time and killed your grandfather before your father was even born, then you would never have been born. So, how could you have gone back in time and killed your grandfather? >> You hurt him. >> It's a paradox, but I believe I solved it. Your grandmother had an affair. You killed the wrong guy. Your grandmother was a hussy. Paradox lost. Sometimes, it takes a comedian. I'm Brian Malow, streaming through TIME. com. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Is a Time Machine Scientifically Possible?","description":"By 2010 we thought there would be jet packs and time machines. Science comedian Brian Malow explores the real science behind time travel. 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