Here is a concise summary of the John Titor story:
**Who:** John Titor, a self-proclaimed time traveler from 2036
**First Appearance:** July 29, 1998, via fax to "Coast to Coast" radio show
**Claims:**
* Traveled back in time to 1975 to retrieve an IBM 5100 computer to help solve a future Unix bug in 2038
* Developed a time machine using a singularity engine in 2034
* Met his past self on multiple occasions; acknowledged other time travelers from more advanced timelines
**Predictions (with outcomes):**
* **Fulfilled:**
+ War in Iraq (2003) over WMD concerns
+ "Mad Cow" disease reaching the US
+ Significant astrophysics discoveries (e.g., extrasolar planets)
* **Unfulfilled:**
+ US civil war in 2004
+ Third World War in 2015
+ Deadly pandemic starting in 2030
* **Error:**
+ Y2K disasters (none occurred)
**Legacy:**
John Titor's story, despite inconsistencies, has captivated many, inspiring books, documentaries, and online discussions, with some believing his predictions and others considering it an elaborate hoax.
Here are the extracted key facts, numbered and in short sentences, without opinions:
**Warning: Some dates and times are mentioned in the original text with timestamps (e.g., "00:00:00.00"). For clarity, I've only included the relevant date/time information in the facts below.**
1. **Initial Contact**: John Titor first contacted "Coast to Coast" via fax on July 29, 1998.
2. **Reappearance**: John Titor reappeared on February 27, 2001, posting on the "Coast to Coast" internet forums.
3. **Claimed Identity**: John Titor identified himself as a soldier from the year 2036, traveling through time on a government mission.
4. **Mission Objective**: His initial mission was to find an IBM 5100 computer in 1975 to acquire the PL programming language.
5. **Purpose of IBM 5100**: The PL language was needed to solve a massive bug expected to occur in UNIX in 2038.
6. **Time Travel Method**: According to Titor, a singularity engine was developed in 2034 using a fusion reactor created by the Swiss Fern Institute.
7. **Time Travel Consequences**: Titor explained that traveling to the past creates an alternative timeline, even with minor alterations.
8. **Encounters with Past Self**: John Titor claimed to have met his past self on numerous occasions.
9. **Other Time Travelers**: Titor stated that there were other time travelers from more advanced times.
10. **Prediction 1: Iraq War**: In 2001, Titor predicted the US and allies would invade Iraq, citing WMDs as the excuse (fulfilled in 2003).
11. **Prediction 2: Mad Cow Disease**: Titor predicted the arrival of "mad cow" disease in the United States (occurred in 2004 in the US, though it was first identified in the UK in 1986).
12. **Prediction 3: Astrophysics Discoveries**: Titor foretold significant discoveries in astrophysics ( numerous extrasolar planets were discovered between 2000-2010).
13. **Unfulfilled Prediction: US Civil War**: Titor predicted a civil war in the US by 2004, which did not occur.
14. **Prediction: Third World War**: Titor stated a third world war would occur in 2015, with the US and allies emerging victorious but severely devastated (did not occur).
15. **Prediction: New Deadly Disease**: Titor warned of a new, highly lethal disease emerging in 2030, comparable to but worse than AIDS (yet to be fulfilled or denied).