In this text, science writer Barry Parker takes on one of the most fascinating and fantastical aspects of modern quantum theory - time travel. From the stuff of fiction to Einstein's theory of relativity and Hawking's view of the universe, time travel has captured modern man's excitement and been as much talked about as space travel.

I remember once watching a presentation of the creation of the universe in a planetarium. It was a fascinating experience: lights flashing, particles appearing to rush by as an explosive roar echoed throughout the planetarium. Then suddenly ... black ness. And after a few seconds ... tiny lights--stars blinking into existence. I tried to imagine myself actually going back to this event. Was this really what it was like? It was an interesting facsimile, but far from what the real thing would have been like. The creation of the universe is an event that is impossible to imagine accurately....