Ep 8. The Toynbee Convector

The Ray Bradbury Theater is a science fiction anthology series that features adaptations of stories written by the famous author Ray Bradbury. In season 4 episode 8, titled "The Toynbee Convector," the audience is taken on a journey into the world of imagination and possibilities.

The episode begins in the year 2037, where a man named William Travis has created a time machine that can take people back into the past. However, he has yet to find anyone who believes him and his invention. He is determined to change that by going back in time to meet his hero, Ray Bradbury, and convince him to write a story about his invention.

Travis succeeds in meeting Bradbury and convincing him to write a story about the time machine. Bradbury pens a piece called "The Toynbee Convector," which becomes a sensation. As a result, Travis becomes famous and his invention is finally recognized by the world.

The episode then fast-forwards to 2053, where Travis is on his deathbed. He reveals to a group of reporters that his invention was a fraud and that he never actually traveled back in time. Instead, he hired actors to play the parts of Bradbury and others to convince the world that his invention was real.

The episode ends with Travis passing away and the reporters being left to wonder about the power of imagination and the influence of stories. "The Toynbee Convector" highlights the importance of storytelling and the ways in which it can shape our understanding of the world.

Overall, this episode of The Ray Bradbury Theater is a thought-provoking exploration of the power of imagination and the role of storytelling in shaping our perceptions and beliefs. It is a must-watch for fans of science fiction and those interested in exploring the boundaries between reality and fiction.