The Enigmatic Disappearance of Mike Marcum: A Time Travel Tale
Written on
Chapter 1: Who Was Mike Marcum?
Mike Marcum gained attention when he appeared on Art Bell's Coast to Coast AM show between 1995 and 1996. Following that initial conversation, Art never invited him back, and since then, he has seemingly disappeared without a trace. Marcum had boldly asserted that he had constructed a time machine. This raises questions: Could a segment of the government already possess the secrets of time travel and wish to keep them hidden? Was he silenced for his attempts at time travel? Or did he successfully unlock the secrets of time travel, only to meet an untimely end?
Chapter 2: The Jacobs Ladder Experiment
Perhaps he mastered the art of time travel and ventured into an alternate time, unable to return to his own. The truth is still a mystery. In 1995, Mike began building a Jacobs Ladder, trying to minimize air resistance between two poles using a modified CD laser to create a continuous arc. Initially, the arc failed to function properly until he implemented the CD. When he activated it, he noticed an unusual heat signature that formed a circular vortex, reminiscent of the shimmering effect seen on a hot pavement. Curious about the vortex, he decided to test it by throwing a sheet metal screw into it.
Chapter 3: The Unforeseen Consequences
He claimed the screw disappeared for a brief moment, enough to confirm its vanishing. After a few more attempts, the CD laser ignited. Believing it necessary to upgrade the machine, he considered purchasing larger transformers. However, due to their expense, he resorted to a more drastic approach: stealing six old transformers that were conveniently nearby, despite initially planning to take only three.
Mike proceeded to connect these transformers to his home's electrical outlets, realizing that alerting the power company for assistance would raise suspicions about the unusually high current demands. Determined, he attempted to climb the pole himself.
Chapter 4: The Law Catches Up
Connecting his enhanced Jacobs Ladder/Time Machine inadvertently caused a blackout for half the town, drawing more electricity than he anticipated and damaging various household appliances. To avoid detection, Mike started working under the cover of night. Eventually, the local police, armed with a search warrant, entered his home to find him asleep. Inside, they discovered a microwave-oven-style electric lighter, an electric piggy bank, and six stolen transformers worth around $13,000.
Faced with a likely lengthy prison sentence, Mike decided to claim he was building a time machine, hoping to be sent to a psychiatric facility instead. He spent sixty days behind bars. The Kansas City Star reported on his story, prompting Mike to connect with Art Bell on the show. During this initial interview, Tom Hampton, the officer who arrested him, called in, surprising both Art and Mike. Rumors suggested that the officer orchestrated the interview, but this was not the case. During the conversation, Mike admitted to Art that he needed financial support and parts for another experiment he had in mind.
Chapter 5: A Second Chance and Greater Ambitions
At the end of the interview, Mike shared his phone number, leading to a flood of calls over the next few days. He received an outpouring of support from listeners, including suggestions, financial aid, and components. His second project for a time machine promised to be more powerful and ambitious than the first, aiming for a capacity of three million watts compared to the kilowatt-level of his initial attempt. This time, he planned to utilize rotating magnetic fields, a technique inspired by the Philadelphia Experiment, instead of the CD laser.
Art asked Mike to keep him updated before he attempted to jump through the vortex, expressing a desire to capture the moment, whether it would be the escape of a daring adventurer or solid proof of time travel. In a surprising move, Mike opted to give out his address instead of his phone number. During his second and final appearance on Art's show in 1996, he announced he was just 30 days away from completing his "legal" time machine. By January 1997, Mike had vanished.
Chapter 6: The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Sofa
In his last interview, Mike was asked by a listener about a peculiar incident involving a missing sofa. He shared a story from a party where a friend jumped onto the couch, asking for a drink. When Mike went to fetch it, he realized the sofa had disappeared. He searched high and low, even outside, suspecting a prank.
The question remains: Where did Mike Marcum and his sofa end up?
Chapter 7: Backyard Time Machine: The Time Travel Mystery
The first video, titled "Backyard Time Machine: The Time Travel Mystery of Mike 'Mad Man' Marcum," delves into the curious case of Mike's claims and his mysterious disappearance.
Chapter 8: The Bold Street Finale: Time Slips
The second video, "Mad Man Mike Marcum, Bold Street, Queen Mary - Season 1 Finale - Time Slips," explores further developments in Mike's story and the phenomenon of time slips.