iPad spotted 84 years ago? Little boy's viral picture triggers time travel conspiracy. Wild theories emerge

A black-and-white photograph from 1941, captured by photographer Edwin Rosskam on Chicago’s South Side, became the center of a time travel conspiracy online. What seemed like an ordinary picture of neatly dressed children waiting in line outside a movie theatre triggered an internet-wide debate. The reason — a boy standing at the far right of the frame appears to be holding something that looks remarkably like an iPad, a device that wouldn’t exist for nearly seven more decades.

The image, which resurfaced on a Reddit forum, was originally meant to depict the everyday life of African American communities during that period. However, users quickly zoomed in on the curious rectangular object in the child’s hands, speculating that it could be a tablet. One user pointed out, “iPad-carrying moviegoer, all the way to the right,” while another added, “If you zoom right in close, that is too big to be a ‘book’ or ‘notepad’ plus you can see what looks like the iconic Apple logo on the back of it.”

Skeptics counter the theory

Not everyone online was convinced that the boy was holding a futuristic device. Many viewers dismissed the idea of time travel altogether, pointing out more logical explanations. One Redditor simply stated, “Looks like a book to me,” while another added historical context, explaining, “Back in the early days of film, ushers would scan the audience for pens and notepads to prevent bootleg recreations of the movie.” This led several commenters to suggest that the boy was holding a notebook, a Bible, or perhaps a diary, not a gadget from the future.

A few users added humor to the discussion. One remarked, “If I could time travel, had an iPad, and was Black, why on earth would I go to the South Side of Chicago in 1941 to watch a matinee of The Aldrich Family? Everyone knows the only true Henry Aldrich was played by Jimmy Lydon, not Jackie Cooper.”

Amid the time-travel frenzy, many others found themselves charmed by the children’s vintage fashion. One user wrote, “They all are dressed so nicely. To wear your Sunday best to see the movies must have been a fantastic treat.” Another joked, “Part of me wishes we still dressed up like that for the little things, but then I debate whether I’ll even shower today.” Others noted how “the little men’s hats are so adorable,” admiring the snapshot as a window into a bygone era.

Not the first ‘proof’ of time travel online?

This is far from the first time an old photograph has sparked claims of time travel. Previous viral examples include a 1943 image from a Cornwall beach that appeared to show a man using a mobile phone, though skeptics said he was likely rolling a cigarette. A similar debate surrounded a 1940s photo from Reykjavik showing a man who seemed to be on a call, and even an ancient Greek tombstone once sparked claims of a carved “laptop.”