<strong>Time travel theories</strong>: Physicist Ron Mallett has been working on theories about time travel for decades.
Time travel theories: Physicist Ron Mallett has been working on theories about time travel for decades.
Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
<strong>Physics equation: </strong>Mallett has a key equation that he says proves it's possible -- although some physicists say it has flaws.
Physics equation: Mallett has a key equation that he says proves it's possible -- although some physicists say it has flaws.
Ron Mallett
<strong>Family tragedy:</strong> Mallett was inspired to explore time travel following the tragic death of his father, pictured here, a TV repair man who died when Mallett was 10.
Family tragedy: Mallett was inspired to explore time travel following the tragic death of his father, pictured here, a TV repair man who died when Mallett was 10.
Courtesy Ronald Mallett
<strong>Family ties: </strong>For 60 years, Mallett's been motivated by the thought of seeing his dad's face again.
Family ties: For 60 years, Mallett's been motivated by the thought of seeing his dad's face again.
Courtesy Ronald Mallett
<strong>Movie magic:</strong> Mallett kept his time travel dreams quiet until he became a tenured professor at the University of Connecticut. He wanted to avoid the "mad professor" stereotype -- even if, on the big screen, "Back to the Future" scientist Doc Brown was successful in the end.
Movie magic: Mallett kept his time travel dreams quiet until he became a tenured professor at the University of Connecticut. He wanted to avoid the "mad professor" stereotype -- even if, on the big screen, "Back to the Future" scientist Doc Brown was successful in the end.
Universal Pictures
<strong>Inspired by Einstein: </strong>A big inspiration for Mallett was Albert Einstein and his special theory of relativity and general theory of relativity.
Inspired by Einstein: A big inspiration for Mallett was Albert Einstein and his special theory of relativity and general theory of relativity.
AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Interstellar: </strong>A more recent sci-fi hit, "Interstellar," also touched a nerve with Mallett, thanks to its moving father-daughter story.
Interstellar: A more recent sci-fi hit, "Interstellar," also touched a nerve with Mallett, thanks to its moving father-daughter story.
<strong>Alternative reality: </strong>But it was H.G. Well's novel "The Time Machine" -- pictured here adapted into the 1960 movie -- that first opened up Mallett's eyes to this alternative reality.
Alternative reality: But it was H.G. Well's novel "The Time Machine" -- pictured here adapted into the 1960 movie -- that first opened up Mallett's eyes to this alternative reality.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images