The Original Time Machine: A Refrigerator?

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The Original Time Machine: A Refrigerator?
By: Luke Shaff ~ 3/13/2025

When Back to the Future co-writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale were developing the script, their first idea for a time machine was completely different. In early drafts, time travel was powered by a device called the "Time Chamber," which was housed inside a lead-lined refrigerator. The idea was that the main character, Marty McFly, would climb inside the fridge, and a nuclear explosion (yes, really!) would generate the necessary power to send him through time.

However, this concept posed a couple of major problems:

  1. Too Dangerous for Kids – The filmmakers worried that young fans might try to climb into refrigerators and get stuck, mimicking what they saw in the movie. This was a serious concern, as old refrigerators had heavy latches that could trap someone inside.
  2. Too Complicated to Film – A large, stationary time machine wasn’t as visually exciting as something mobile. The filmmakers wanted a way for the time machine to move, making it more dynamic for action scenes.

So, they scrapped the refrigerator idea and started looking for something cooler—literally.

BLOGPOST_DeloreanBkToTheFuture03132025.jpg

Why the DeLorean?

The choice of the DeLorean DMC-12 as the time machine wasn’t random. Robert Zemeckis wanted something that looked futuristic, and the DeLorean, with its stainless-steel body and gull-wing doors, had the perfect sci-fi aesthetic. But there was one more key reason:

🔹 The Joke About a Flying Saucer – In the movie, when Marty McFly travels back to 1955 and crashes into a barn, the people who discover him think he’s an alien because of the car’s sleek, spaceship-like design. This scene worked perfectly with the DeLorean’s unusual look.

The DeLorean DMC-12: The Car Behind the Legend

Before Back to the Future, the DeLorean wasn’t exactly a superstar. The car was designed by John DeLorean, a former GM executive who wanted to create a futuristic sports car. Here are some key facts about the real-life DeLorean:

🚗 Model Name: DMC-12 (though people just call it "the DeLorean")
🚗 Years Produced: 1981–1983
🚗 Engine: 2.85L V6 (130 horsepower—not very fast!)
🚗 0 to 60 mph: Around 10 seconds (which is why it needed movie magic to hit 88 mph!)
🚗 Body Material: Brushed stainless steel (no paint, just raw metal)
🚗 Doors: Gull-wing style, which open upward

While the DeLorean had a futuristic look, it wasn’t the greatest performance car. It was heavy, underpowered, and expensive. The DeLorean Motor Company struggled financially, and production ended in 1983. But when Back to the Future was released in 1985, the DeLorean found new life as a cultural icon.

A Legendary Movie Car

Thanks to Back to the Future, the DeLorean is now one of the most famous cars in the world. Even though only about 9,000 were ever made, its place in film history ensures it will never be forgotten.

And to think—it all started with a refrigerator!

What do you think? Would Back to the Future have been as cool if Marty had time-traveled in a fridge? Let us know in the comments!