15 People Share Which Historical Figure They’d Bring into 2026, Just for 24 Hours
Imagine bringing someone from centuries ago into 2026 and having just one day to show them around. What would you do first? Introduce them to a smartphone, take them on an airplane, or explain what happened to their life’s work? A Reddit discussion asked people which historical figure they’d bring back for 24 hours, and the answers went in some pretty unexpected directions. Some wanted to share scientific discoveries with the people who helped make them possible. Others had museum visits, modern entertainment, or surprisingly specific restaurant plans in mind. A few simply wanted to see how their chosen guest would react to the world today.
Albert Einstein and the Large Hadron Collider
One Reddit user wanted to take Einstein to CERN to see the Large Hadron Collider. Another suggested showing him how scientists finally detected gravitational waves.
Leonardo da Vinci and Modern Medicine
Someone proposed showing Leonardo da Vinci a helicopter before taking him to see an MRI machine. He’d certainly have plenty of questions about both inventions.
Vincent van Gogh and His Own Museum
One commenter wanted to bring Van Gogh to his museum in Amsterdam, where he could see crowds lining up to admire paintings he made more than a century ago.
Theodore Roosevelt Returns to the White House
A Reddit user proposed taking Theodore Roosevelt to the modern White House with two pairs of boxing gloves. They didn’t specify exactly what would happen next.
Sigmund Freud Watches Anime
One person had a very specific plan for Sigmund Freud: make him watch JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. No museums, historical tours, or psychological discussions were mentioned.
Diogenes Discovers Social Media
A commenter wanted to introduce the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes to social media, then sit back and listen to him criticize absolutely everyone using it.
Pierre de Fermat Finally Explains Himself
One Reddit user would give mathematician Pierre de Fermat a pen and plenty of paper, hoping he’d finally write down his famously missing proof.
Jane Austen Sees Her Literary Legacy
A reader chose Jane Austen simply to show her how far her novels have traveled. Two centuries later, her stories still attract readers and inspire adaptations.
Benjamin Franklin Goes Out for Wings
One Reddit user thought Benjamin Franklin would enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings. Apparently, a sports bar and some chicken wings would be enough entertainment for the day.
George Washington Visits the Delaware River
Someone wanted to take George Washington back to the Delaware River, the site of his famous Revolutionary War crossing, to see what the area looks like today.
Fred Rogers Addresses the United Nations
A commenter would bring Fred Rogers to the United Nations and ask him to deliver a speech about how humanity has changed since his lifetime.
Alexander Hamilton Explores New York City
One person suggested taking Alexander Hamilton around modern New York City, including lower Manhattan, where a few places from his lifetime would still be recognizable.
Alan Turing Gets a Computer Tour
A Reddit user wanted to spend the entire day showing Alan Turing modern computers. Another imagined taking him shopping and explaining how different laptops work.
Orville Wright Boards an Airbus A380
One commenter would take Orville Wright aboard an Airbus A380, letting one of the pioneers of powered flight experience a modern passenger aircraft firsthand.
J. R. R. Tolkien Watches The Lord of the Rings
Someone suggested showing Tolkien Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies. Other users immediately started debating whether the author would actually enjoy them.