A photo of a man with a "cell phone" in 1943 gave rise to theories about time travel

By TravelWiseOct 24, 2023 16:17 PMNews
Share:
A photo of a man with a "cell phone" in 1943 gave rise to theories about time travel
Time travel is being discussed online through a ''mobile phone'' shot. Source: Pexels

An archival footage taken during World War II in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik has been circulating online. The picture shows an ordinary street, shops, and soldiers, but there is one nuance that gave rise to theories about time travel.

Netizens noticed that one of the characters in the picture seems to be talking on the phone, which simply cannot be true. The photo, which sparked conspiracy theories about time travel, was shared by its owner Christian Hoffman in the Facebook group Gamlar ljósmyndir, Indy100 reports.

The first-ever mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, was sold in 1973, 30 years after the photo was taken. However, the photo shows a man in a coat leaning against a storefront window holding something to his ear.

A photo of a man with a "cell phone" in 1943 gave rise to theories about time travel
Netizens noticed that one of the characters in the footage was allegedly talking on the phone. Source: Kristján Hoffman

If the photo was taken in our time, talking on the phone would be the first explanation that would come to mind. However, mobile devices did not exist at the time, and so the image gave rise to various theories.

Some netizens suggested that the man in the photo was scratching his ear, while another suggested that he had picked up his watch to check if it was working. However, there were also theories about time travel, as the man's pose and facial expression are similar to that of a person talking on the phone.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Eurowings aircraft approaching landing with extended landing gear

New Flight Options from Berlin: Eurowings and BER Connect to Four More Cities

Apr 30, 2025 14:36 PM
Modern hotel room with large windows, double bed, and a sofa

Radisson Blu Opens Eco-Friendly Hotel in Ha Long Bay

Apr 30, 2025 03:37 AM

beOnd Adds 18 Direct Routes to the Maldives, Cutting Layovers

Apr 29, 2025 21:24 PM

UK Railways Gear Up for Winter with New Fleet to Tackle Seasonal Delays

Apr 29, 2025 19:32 PM
AirAsia aircraft being prepared on airport tarmac under cloudy sky

AirAsia Expands Flexibility with Paid Cancellation Options

Apr 29, 2025 17:48 PM
A vehicle entering Serengeti National Park through main gate in Tanzania

Marriott to Open First Safari Camp in Tanzania’s Serengeti Blending Nature and Infrastructure

Apr 29, 2025 15:53 PM
People with luggage walking through a modern airport terminal with electronic signs and escalators

Edinburgh Airport Cuts Security Time with New Scanners

Apr 29, 2025 13:56 PM
Elegant hotel room with large bed and modern decor

Batumi's Tourism Scene Expands with the Arrival of La Quinta Hotel

Apr 29, 2025 04:47 AM
A person walking into London Euston Station entrance

Travel Disruptions Expected as Euston Station Closes

Apr 29, 2025 02:31 AM

Finnair to Lay Off Pilots and Cut Long-Haul Routes Amid Ongoing Strikes

Apr 28, 2025 23:29 PM

flydubai Expands Seasonal Summer Flights to 11 Destinations

Apr 28, 2025 21:36 PM
Bright hotel room with large bed, modern decor, and open bathroom view

New SIRO Boka Place Brings Active Travel to Montenegro’s Coast

Apr 28, 2025 19:53 PM
Railway tracks diverging under streetlights at sunset

Major Disruptions Expected on Britain’s Railways Over May Bank Holidays

Apr 28, 2025 17:28 PM
Emirates Boeing 777 taxiing at Dubai Airport with city skyline in background

New Travel Opportunities as Emirates Expands 2025 Flight Network

Apr 28, 2025 15:34 PM
Railway track stretching through open fields at sunset in the Scottish Highlands

Flow Country Becomes a New Travel Destination in Scotland

Apr 27, 2025 23:25 PM

Air India Eases Transfers and Refreshes Cabins for Smoother Journeys

Apr 27, 2025 19:33 PM

Easier Journeys Ahead: Belgrade–Geneva Flights Resume in 2025

Apr 26, 2025 13:47 PM
Northern Lights over snowy coastline

A New Nordic Journey: What Travelers Can Expect from the North

Apr 26, 2025 11:34 AM
United Airlines aircraft taking off from airport runway

Fewer Stopovers: Edinburgh–D.C. Route Gets Winter Boost

Apr 26, 2025 09:23 AM
Aerial view of Tenerife Beach with a vast sandy shore and calm waters

Europe’s Beaches in 2025: What’s Worth Your Trip This Summer?

Apr 26, 2025 06:49 AM
Woman holding megaphone at a public protest during a strike

Belgian Airports Brace for Major Disruptions as Nationwide Strike Causes Flight Cancellations

Apr 26, 2025 03:35 AM
Amtrak passenger train at station platform

Amtrak Announces New Route Linking Gulf Coast Cities

Apr 25, 2025 23:38 PM

Avani+ Fujairah Resort to Open in 2028, Expanding Travel Options in UAE

Apr 25, 2025 21:46 PM

Travelers in Jakarta Get New Emirates Service Center

Apr 25, 2025 19:21 PM
A hotel room with a bed near a window, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere

New Budget-Friendly Super 8 Hotels to Open Across Spain and Portugal

Apr 25, 2025 17:37 PM
Air France aircraft preparing to land

Air France Expands In-Flight Entertainment With CANAL+ Content From May 2025

Apr 25, 2025 15:45 PM