On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video captured the moment showing a ‘time traveller’ spotted in a 1928 Charlie Chaplin movie.
A fascinating theory has emerged surrounding Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film The Circus. Some online users believe they have spotted a “time traveller” in the film.
This theory has sparked intense debate, particularly due to the appearance of a mysterious figure holding a device that some suggest could be a mobile phone.
Online sleuths believe they’ve found a time traveller in the film
The theory was brought to light by Irish filmmaker George Clarke, who posted a video in 2010 revealing the mysterious figure.
In the clip, a person wearing a black top hat and white gloves can be seen walking around in the background, holding what appears to be a small device.
Clarke suggests the device looks like a mobile phone, despite mobile phones not being widely available until decades later.
The device: A mobile hone or something else?
The device held by the figure has become the focal point of the debate.
Clarke pointed out the odd shape and position of the object, claiming that it appeared to be held to the ear, much like a modern mobile phone.
He emphasized that the object didn’t resemble any common device of the time, such as an ear trumpet or radio. “It’s clear she’s talking into the device,” Clarke said.
The debate goes viral with millions of views
Clarke’s video, which has garnered nearly seven million views on YouTube, has sparked thousands of comments. Some users are convinced the figure is a time traveller, while others have offered alternative explanations. One popular theory is that the woman is simply shielding her face from the sun, not holding a device at all.
One person said: Wow. It’s an alien dressed in drag talking to the mother ship. What’s so unusual about that.
A second wrote: 19 years before this pic charles alden invented the wireless phone- appearantly
While a third commente: The zebra is also a time traveler.. I have picture of that zebra just chilling in the LA ZOO. I swear that is the same one.
Another added: It is an alien talking to the mothership.
Someone else said: TIME TRAVEL IS POSSIBLE AND THIS IS PROOF!!!!!
Another user added: The simplistic exclamation is THERE WAS NO CELL PHONE TOWERS IN THE PAST.
Experts debunk the ‘time traveller’ theory
While the theory gained traction online, experts quickly offered their own interpretation.
The Daily News reported that the device is more likely a hearing aid, which were first invented in the 1920s. They pointed out that hearing aids were available to the public during the filming of “The Circus”, making it a more plausible explanation.
While the notion of time travel is fun to entertain, it’s more likely that the “device” is a hearing aid, a technology that existed in the 1920s.
This debate highlights how the intersection of history and modern technology can spark fascination and discussion, even in the most unlikely places.