In hindsight, which was all they had in those days...

[skyring]

Something Bookczuk posted recently made me think. A novel about a contemporary Australian going back in time to Civil War Charleston. Something like that wonderful novel, "The Door Back", but a bit "spikier" and maybe funnier.

Well, I've been thinking. There's a ton of material I could use. Like Connie Willis, I could have a world where time travel is cheap, clean, easy and relatively safe. Have a team of explorers mining the past. String some interesting anecdotes together.

My scenario is something like this. Time travel has just been discovered and the inventor wants to investigate the more interesting periods and events of the past. He's only got a half-dozen volunteers and a month to do it in.

So where does he send his researchers?

The bombardment of Fort Sumter, of course - that goes without saying. And I like the idea of a mini-skirted Aussie sheila trying to covertly enter the Texas Book Repository to film a pivotal and tragic moment in history.

Any other times and places you'd like to see fashion gaffes committed?

Comments

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Major Glenn Miller. I've been wracking my braid trying to come up with a scenario.

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

Do a little research...last thing I read was that a military plane was flying back from a failed bombing run and jettisoned its bombs over the Channel. Plane was flying at a higher altitude than Miller's and one of the bombs took out his plane.
Theory got plenty of press coverage...maybe ten years ago?

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm. I remember the theory - which seems plausible - but it looks like my recollection was wrong - he was flying to Paris, not back.

Have to do some more research on this, but I think I can work him into my story, and give you a USO concert you'll never forget.

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

He was flying to Paris, you're correct. The bomber was flying back to England, at an altitude above him.

I'll count on that concert. ;)