In a world where almost everyone is glued to their phones, it’s no surprise that a mysterious video from 1938 has sent the internet into a frenzy. The black-and-white footage appears to show a young woman casually chatting on what looks eerily like a modern cell phone.
Time traveler? Secret technology? Or just a trick of the eye? Let’s dive into the mystery.
The Viral Video That Sparked the Debate
Originally shared by YouTube user ScoopView, the clip captures a bustling street scene from 1938. But one person stands out—a young woman walking past the camera, holding a small object to her ear as if she’s deep in conversation.
At first glance, it’s easy to see why people are freaking out. The object in her hand is just the right size and shape to be a cell phone, and she’s even holding it like one. The video description fuels the intrigue, claiming she was caught on camera “talking on a cell phone in 1938” as she left a Dupont factory in Massachusetts.
A Family Connection… Or Just a Wild Claim?
Things got even more interesting when another YouTube user, Planetcheck, came forward, claiming the mystery woman was actually his great-grandmother, Gertrude Jones.
According to him, she was just 17 at the time and had a perfectly reasonable explanation for the unusual sight. Apparently, Dupont was testing early “wireless phones,” and Gertrude, along with a few other employees, was given one to try out for a week. Planetcheck insists she was simply talking to a scientist holding another device off-camera.
Seems like a plausible explanation, right? Well, not everyone is convinced.
The Skeptics Weigh In
While the idea of an experimental mobile phone in 1938 is fascinating, experts have a different take.
David Mikkelson, founder of the fact-checking site Snopes.com, isn’t buying it. Speaking to The Huffington Post, he pointed out that with any old footage, it’s easy to mistake ordinary objects for something extraordinary.
“You can take any piece of WWII footage showing someone holding something to the side of their head and claim it’s a time traveler using a cell phone,” he explained.
Mikkelson suggests the object could be anything—a hearing aid, a handkerchief, or even just someone adjusting their hair. Plus, the video has no sound, so there’s no proof she was actually talking to anyone.
And then there’s the biggest question: If Dupont really did have mobile phones back then, where’s the documentation? No records, no photos, no other witnesses—just one intriguing story from a YouTube commenter.
The Internet Has Thoughts… Lots of Them
Unsurprisingly, the internet has been debating this one non-stop. While some people want to believe, others are quick to poke holes in the theory.
One commenter joked, “If it really was a phone, I’d love to know what carrier she was using in 1938!”
Others suggest it’s just an old-fashioned hearing aid, which were bulky but existed at the time. A few have even pointed out inconsistencies in the claims, like the possibility that the footage was actually filmed at a different location.
Final Verdict? Keep the Tin Foil Hats in Check
As much as we all love a good time travel mystery, this one doesn’t quite hold up. The most logical explanation? The woman in the video was likely just holding something mundane, and our modern brains are filling in the gaps.
That said, it’s still a fun reminder of how easy it is to look at history through today’s lens and see something that might not actually be there.
So, what do you think? Time traveler or just a really confusing optical illusion? Share your thoughts in the comments!
