One round-trip ticket in a time machine — Where would you go, back in time?
pam kueber - Updated: August 10, 2012
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
If I had just one round trip ticket to use in the way-back time machine, I think I’d go here. How about you? Where, when? Seriously. Or not.
Selfishly, I would go back and see my Grandma and Grandpa on their farm in Indiana. We moved out to Cali when I was about 9 and I missed out on a lot of good times with them. I would go back for a summer when they were both feeling up to snuff.
hannahsays
I’ve seen Talking Heads in concert, must’ve been the late 70s in Hollywood CA at the Greek Theater – whatever year Burning Down The House came out. What a FAB show that was. You had to dance your way through the crowd to get to the bathrooms. For any Byrne fans, you simply MUST get his solo work, Rei Momo – absolutely fantastic.
As to the topic, sheesh – so much to choose from. The 20s could have been a hoot with the flapper thing going onl. Great Gatsby and all that. But, I think my heart would want to visit the era of the mid 40s-early 60s. The clothes, the furnishings. Also, Hollywood, the Rat Pack era would be cool. 🙂
Wendy M.says
I would have to pick Cal-Neva (Lake Tahoe) in the early ’60’s to see the Rat Pack perform.
(If I couldn’t do that, I would go back to see my grandparents when they first met…but I’m certain my grandma would rather have me see Frank and Dean anyway!)
amandasays
Hmm, did you just watch Midnight in Paris? The whole movie is centered around “time travel” and how we glamourize the idea of living in another time in the past. In the movie, Owen Wilson’s character idealizes 1920s Paris and when he goes back in time, another character idealized the Romantic (I think) era. Interesting concept, especially for those of us who do this.
I always think I would love to go back to 1950s America because of the glamour of the time and I love me some oldies so I would have actually enjoyed dancing when I went out. Then again, there was also no central AC or cable or internet, people would have been smoking around me everywhere (which I can’t stand), and there was some serious cultural and racial discrimination going on, and let’s face it, those desks weren’t gonna save anyone if we got nuked, so who knows.
I would have loved to have been around in Harlem during the 1920s-30s. Hanging out in the jazz clubs, sporting those fabulous fashions. However, realistically… being a black woman… well actually a mixed race woman, there is no time like the present! Time travel is no fun for minorities (women, Jews, gays etc.) 😛
Jensays
So many great answers to this question. I’d love to see my parents (and grandparents) in their youth, witness historic moments, or even relive a day from my youth and really pay attention (as in “Our Town”), but I’d also love to have seen Ethel Merman perform Mama Rose in “Gypsy” or show up on the set of “Gay Divorcee” to watch Fred & Ginger making that film. I would love to have a conversation with Edith & Edie Beale. And it would be fascinating to shop for iconic items from the past – mint in box! I love the whole time travel concept.
Would love to be in Southern California during the Eames era. Of course, I’d have the wallet to indulge, so I’d buy a modest little Eichler, fill it with beautifully designed modern furniture, and revel in that modern, indoor-outdoor lifestyle while gardening it up!
Lee in Floridasays
My last comment didn’t post, but I thought of a better one, anyway…
Cocoa Beach, FL, for the launch of Apollo 11. It would be cool to be part of that experience.
gsciencechicksays
CBGB punk scene in NYC in the 70’s for sure. I was just a little too young for this.
DH would take LA Sunset Strip in the 80’s.
Lee in Floridasays
Whatever day it was in 1873 that the Carson City mint issued dimes, so I could pick up $1 worth. At $1.6 million each, I’m gettin’ paid!
Rebecca@MidcenturyModernRemodel says
Selfishly, I would go back and see my Grandma and Grandpa on their farm in Indiana. We moved out to Cali when I was about 9 and I missed out on a lot of good times with them. I would go back for a summer when they were both feeling up to snuff.
hannah says
I’ve seen Talking Heads in concert, must’ve been the late 70s in Hollywood CA at the Greek Theater – whatever year Burning Down The House came out. What a FAB show that was. You had to dance your way through the crowd to get to the bathrooms. For any Byrne fans, you simply MUST get his solo work, Rei Momo – absolutely fantastic.
As to the topic, sheesh – so much to choose from. The 20s could have been a hoot with the flapper thing going onl. Great Gatsby and all that. But, I think my heart would want to visit the era of the mid 40s-early 60s. The clothes, the furnishings. Also, Hollywood, the Rat Pack era would be cool. 🙂
Wendy M. says
I would have to pick Cal-Neva (Lake Tahoe) in the early ’60’s to see the Rat Pack perform.
(If I couldn’t do that, I would go back to see my grandparents when they first met…but I’m certain my grandma would rather have me see Frank and Dean anyway!)
amanda says
Hmm, did you just watch Midnight in Paris? The whole movie is centered around “time travel” and how we glamourize the idea of living in another time in the past. In the movie, Owen Wilson’s character idealizes 1920s Paris and when he goes back in time, another character idealized the Romantic (I think) era. Interesting concept, especially for those of us who do this.
I always think I would love to go back to 1950s America because of the glamour of the time and I love me some oldies so I would have actually enjoyed dancing when I went out. Then again, there was also no central AC or cable or internet, people would have been smoking around me everywhere (which I can’t stand), and there was some serious cultural and racial discrimination going on, and let’s face it, those desks weren’t gonna save anyone if we got nuked, so who knows.
Jackie says
I would have loved to have been around in Harlem during the 1920s-30s. Hanging out in the jazz clubs, sporting those fabulous fashions. However, realistically… being a black woman… well actually a mixed race woman, there is no time like the present! Time travel is no fun for minorities (women, Jews, gays etc.) 😛
Jen says
So many great answers to this question. I’d love to see my parents (and grandparents) in their youth, witness historic moments, or even relive a day from my youth and really pay attention (as in “Our Town”), but I’d also love to have seen Ethel Merman perform Mama Rose in “Gypsy” or show up on the set of “Gay Divorcee” to watch Fred & Ginger making that film. I would love to have a conversation with Edith & Edie Beale. And it would be fascinating to shop for iconic items from the past – mint in box! I love the whole time travel concept.
Jane / MulchMaid says
Would love to be in Southern California during the Eames era. Of course, I’d have the wallet to indulge, so I’d buy a modest little Eichler, fill it with beautifully designed modern furniture, and revel in that modern, indoor-outdoor lifestyle while gardening it up!
Lee in Florida says
My last comment didn’t post, but I thought of a better one, anyway…
Cocoa Beach, FL, for the launch of Apollo 11. It would be cool to be part of that experience.
gsciencechick says
CBGB punk scene in NYC in the 70’s for sure. I was just a little too young for this.
DH would take LA Sunset Strip in the 80’s.
Lee in Florida says
Whatever day it was in 1873 that the Carson City mint issued dimes, so I could pick up $1 worth. At $1.6 million each, I’m gettin’ paid!