Who Is John E. Lewis, the Inventor of Time Travel in Leuven?
- Natalija Ugrina
- 4 minutes ago
- 8 min read
The Day I Stumbled Upon a Message from the Future
Leuven has plenty of reasons to charm you—its fairy-tale Gothic Town Hall, the buzz of student life spilling from cafés, and the unmistakable Belgian beer culture. But one afternoon, I wandered into a narrow side street and found something I still can’t shake: a small blue plaque mounted on a brick wall.
It read:
“Here lived John E. Lewis, inventor of time travel, in the year 2152.”
I stopped. I stared. I read it again, just to be sure. I’ve seen many historic markers, but never one commemorating something that hasn’t happened yet.
The Plaque That Plays with Time
The plaque itself is unassuming—blue enamel, gold lettering, fixed neatly to a modest brick façade. There’s no fanfare, no crowds, no audio guide pointing it out.
But its simplicity makes it even stranger.
No birth date. No death date. No hint of who this man was—or will be. Just the bold statement that in 127 years, a person named John E. Lewis will live here, having cracked the greatest mystery of them all.
Who Is John E. Lewis, the Inventor of Time Travel in Leuven?
That’s the thing—no one knows.
Search the archives and you’ll find nothing connecting a John E. Lewis to Leuven. No scholarly publications, no news mentions, no record in city registries. He exists only on that plaque.
Which means he’s one of three things:
A prank or inside joke.
An anonymous art installation.
Or—if you’re in a more imaginative mood—a genuine message left for us by someone from the future.
The house in Leuven that supposedly hosted the inventor of time travel — in the year 2152.
Why Leuven Is the Perfect Place for This Mystery
Leuven is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, KU Leuven, with a long history of scientific research, bold ideas, and youthful energy. It’s also a city that embraces creativity and quirkiness.
Public art pops up in unexpected corners, student pranks sometimes earn a permanent place in the cityscape, and Leuven’s identity balances tradition with playfulness. If any city would leave a plaque like this in place without explanation, it’s here.
Time Travel: Between Science and Imagination
John E. Lewis might be fictional—or not yet born—but time travel has real roots in physics:
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity – The faster you travel, the slower time passes for you. Astronauts aboard the ISS age slightly less than those of us on Earth.
Wormholes – Hypothetical “tunnels” through space-time could link two points in time and space instantly, though stabilizing one is purely theoretical.
Gravitational Time Dilation – Near massive gravitational fields, like those around black holes, time slows dramatically for those nearby.
Science says traveling forward is possible—going back is where the paradoxes begin.
Time Travelers Who Captured Public Imagination
If John E. Lewis ever appears in 2152, he won’t be the first to cause a stir. Over the years, several supposed “time travelers” have popped into public consciousness—some clearly hoaxes, others lingering in the grey area where fact and fiction blur.
John Titor
In the early 2000s, an anonymous poster using the name John Titor appeared on an internet forum claiming to be a soldier from the year 2036. He said he had traveled back in time to retrieve an IBM 5100 computer from 1975, which was supposedly needed to debug legacy computer systems in the future. Titor offered predictions about civil war in the United States, global conflict, and technological changes. While many of his prophecies failed to materialize, his technical knowledge of the IBM 5100’s undocumented features intrigued computer experts and fueled speculation. To this day, his posts are archived, dissected, and debated by internet sleuths.
Andrew Carlssin
First appearing in a 2003 Weekly World News article, Andrew Carlssin was said to have been arrested by the FBI for insider trading after turning an initial investment of $800 into $350 million in just two weeks. His explanation? He was from the year 2256 and used knowledge of future market trends to make his fortune. The story claimed he offered to reveal the location of Osama bin Laden and a cure for AIDS in exchange for leniency. Although the tale was quickly revealed as tabloid fiction, Carlssin’s name still pops up in “proof of time travel” discussions online.
The Time-Traveling Hipster
In 2010, the Virtual Museum of Canada released a photograph from the 1941 reopening of a bridge in British Columbia. Amid the crowd dressed in era-appropriate suits and hats, one man stood out: he wore what appeared to be a graphic T-shirt, a lightweight cardigan, and modern-style sunglasses—items far ahead of their time. Dubbed the “Time-Traveling Hipster,” he sparked online debates, with some claiming it was undeniable proof of time travel. Skeptics, however, pointed out that all of his clothing items could have existed in the 1940s, though their combination was certainly unusual for the era.
Time Travel-Inspired Locations to Add to Your List
If the john e lewis time travel plaque leuven has piqued your curiosity, you might enjoy visiting these places that also blur the line between reality and science fiction:
Time Travel Mart – Los Angeles, USA – A quirky shop selling “past” and “future” essentials, from dinosaur eggs to robot milk.
The Time Traveler Statue – Bratislava, Slovakia – A bronze figure in futuristic gear, seated casually on a bench as if waiting for a portal to open.
Bold Street “Time Slip” – Liverpool, UK – A street with a local legend that pedestrians sometimes step back into the 1950s.
Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk – Riverside, Iowa, USA – A plaque and annual festival celebrating a fictional birth in 2233.
Wells Cathedral Clock – Wells, England – A medieval clock whose jousting knights give it an otherworldly charm.
Love a good architectural oddity? Check out my tour of the weirdest houses in Los Angeles—some of them look like they could belong to a time traveler.
Plaques That Bend the Truth
Leuven’s plaque isn’t the only one rewriting history—or the future. All over the world, you can find markers that make you stop and question reality.
Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk – Riverside, Iowa, USA
In 1985, this small town officially claimed itself as the “future birthplace” of Star Trek’s Captain James T. Kirk, set to be born here in 2233. With approval from Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Riverside erected a commemorative plaque and even hosts an annual Trek Fest, complete with costumes, parades, and Starfleet-themed events. The plaque has become a pilgrimage spot for Trekkies from all over the world, adding a dose of sci-fi fun to this quiet Iowa town.
Plaque Honoring a Ghost – Sydney, Australia
In Sydney’s historic Rocks district, a polished plaque honors Mary Reibey, a real 19th-century convict-turned-businesswoman who became one of Australia’s wealthiest women. The twist? It notes she is “often seen” walking these streets—long after her death. It’s a playful nod to local ghost lore and a highlight of Sydney’s haunted walking tours. Many visitors linger by the plaque hoping for a spectral photo-bomb.
Nonexistent Coca-Cola Inventor in London, UK
A mysterious bronze plaque appeared in Soho in 2008 claiming John S. Pemberton perfected Coca-Cola here in 1886. While Pemberton did invent Coke, it happened in Atlanta, Georgia—and he never set foot in London. The plaque was an art installation satirizing how easily “official” markers can mislead. It was removed after a few weeks, but not before baffling tourists, delighting locals, and sparking online debates about the line between truth and artistic expression.
Speaking of Coca-Cola, if you’re curious about its history in unexpected places, you’ll love my story on Quincy, Florida—the Town of Coca-Cola Millionaires, where a small community’s investment in the drink changed its future.
First Contact Plaque – Devon, England
Styled like a serious historical marker, this plaque commemorates “first human contact with Martian civilization” in Cydonia in 2029. Located at a small museum in Devon, it’s part of a sci-fi exhibit designed so convincingly that a few visitors have left genuinely wondering if the UK knows something the rest of us don’t.
Things to See in Leuven Beyond the Plaque
If you’re visiting for the John E. Lewis mystery, leave time to explore more of Leuven—you won’t regret it.
Leuven Town Hall
One of the most ornate Gothic buildings in Europe, Leuven’s Town Hall (Stadhuis) dates to the 15th century and is adorned with 236 statues of saints, scholars, and historical figures. Its lace-like spires and carvings glow in the late-afternoon light. Tours take you inside to see the grand council chamber, the wedding room, and portraits that reveal centuries of city history. It’s astonishing to think this survived both World Wars with minimal damage.
St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pieterskerk)
Opposite the Town Hall, this Brabant Gothic church houses the Museum of Religious Art, including Dirk Bouts’ The Last Supper—a masterpiece that broke ground in its use of perspective. The tall stained-glass windows bathe the interior in soft, colorful light, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to pause between sightseeing stops.
M Leuven Museum
A striking combination of medieval and contemporary architecture, M Leuven showcases everything from Gothic sculptures to avant-garde installations. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the city, and the café is a great stop before continuing your walk. Exhibits rotate frequently, so there’s always something new to discover.
University Library & Tower
Destroyed in WWI and rebuilt in the 1920s as a gift from the American people, the library is both a symbol of resilience and a working academic hub. Inside, the wood-paneled reading rooms feel like stepping back in time, while the climb up the clock tower rewards you with 360-degree views of Leuven’s rooftops and spires.
Old Market Square (Oude Markt)
Known as “the longest bar in the world,” this square is lined with over 40 cafés and bars, each with its own personality. By day it’s perfect for a casual drink and people-watching; by night it transforms into one of Leuven’s liveliest spots, buzzing with students, locals, and travelers.
Botanical Garden Kruidtuin
Belgium’s oldest botanical garden, founded in 1738, is a peaceful escape from the city streets. Tropical plants thrive in the greenhouse, while seasonal flowerbeds brighten the outdoor paths. Free to enter, it’s especially beautiful in spring when tulips and magnolias burst into bloom.
A Toast to Time and Beer: Stella Artois Brewery
Leuven is also home to Stella Artois, one of the world’s most famous beers. Brewing here dates to 1366, when the Den Hoorn brewery opened its doors. Sebastian Artois became master brewer in 1708, and the brand began to take shape.
Brewery tours reveal how tradition meets modern brewing technology. You’ll see the production process, the bottling line, and finish with the chance to pour your own Stella—the perfect way to toast your visit.
Visiting the John E. Lewis Plaque
Where: In Leuven’s historic center, not far from the university.
Tip: Keep your eyes up—it’s easy to walk right past.
Nearby: Leuven Town Hall, St. Peter’s Church, M Leuven Museum.
The John E. Lewis plaque — raising more questions than answers
Final Thoughts
Whether John E. Lewis is a prank, an art project, or a genuine note from the future, his plaque transforms an ordinary wall into a story you’ll remember.
It’s proof that travel’s most magical moments often come from the things you weren’t looking for—the small surprises that make you stop, smile, and wonder.