While Verne never built a physical device, the concept of traveling through time permeates his works, most notably in “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells, which was influenced by Verne’s exploration of extraordinary voyages. Verne’s novels, such as “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” frequently feature vehicles that push the boundaries of contemporary technology, evoking a sense of temporal displacement through exploration of unknown realms and futuristic inventions. This narrative device prefigures later science fiction’s fascination with manipulating time itself.
Verne’s influence on the genre of science fiction is profound. His focus on plausible, albeit advanced, technology and detailed scientific descriptions inspired generations of writers and inventors. The notion of venturing into uncharted territories, whether geographical or temporal, captured the public imagination and fostered a spirit of scientific inquiry. This legacy laid the groundwork for the development of time travel as a key theme in science fiction, sparking discussions about its possibilities and paradoxes.
