Time Travel Secrets Unveiled: The Incredible Story Behind the TARDIS

Summary

The TARDIS is an acronym for Time And Relative Dimension In Space, though its true origin remains unknown.

In a patent war between the Metropolitan Police and the TARDIS, the BBC emerged victorious.

Within the TARDIS are numerous rooms and features, such as a swimming pool, art galleries, gardens, and accommodations for the Doctor and companions.

The loveable ship known as the TARDIS holds a special significance for fans of Doctor Who and is easily one of the most recognizable symbols in sci-fi history. The Doctor, a nameless guardian of Earth and savior of various worlds, hails from a race known as the Time Lords who originate from the planet Gallifrey. These Time Lords have achieved mastery over time and space, owing to the remarkable TARDIS - a ship that serves as The Doctor's gateway to the entire universe. Throughout countless ages, the TARDIS has faithfully served as The Doctor's chariot, effortlessly maneuvering through time and space to ensure his timely arrival.

Interestingly, this iconic piece of equipment arguably holds a greater significance to the Doctor than even his longest-running companions. Furthermore, the TARDIS itself possesses a consistent character that surpasses that of the Doctor, who possesses the ability to alter and regenerate his body a total of 12 (now 13) times, thereby avoiding death. Since the 1960s, the TARDIS has maintained its appearance as a blue police box, occasionally receiving noticeable updates along its journey.

20 TARDIS Acronym Meaning

The TARDIS, short for Time And Relative Dimension In Space, is the name of the time machine. Another term occasionally used to refer to it is the TT Capsule, but the TARDIS name predominates. It is believed that the acronym was initially coined by Susan Foreman, the Doctor's original companion, who claimed to have thought of it on her first trip aboard the ship. However, there is no definitive explanation for the origin of the term TARDIS.

Interestingly, in the early years of the show, some of the Doctor's Time Lord colleagues also referred to the time machine as the TARDIS, despite having no prior knowledge of the term from Susan. Even members of the radical Sisterhood of the Karn were familiar with the term without any influence from Susan. It seems that while Susan is credited with 'creating' the term TARDIS, its true origins remain a mystery lost in the depths of time. This could possibly be attributed to a 'Bootstrap Paradox', which explores the idea of how time travel can shape original ideas.

19 There Was A Patent War For The TARDIS

The TARDIS is a blue police box that traverses through space and time. Its design was inspired by the blue police boxes found on the streets of London in the past. However, with advancements in technology, the police box became outdated and lost its purpose. As a result, the blue police box became more widely recognized as a symbol of Doctor Who rather than the Metropolitan Police, who originally introduced the concept in 1928.

In 1996, the BBC filed a trademark application for the blue police box, recognizing an opportunity for merchandise. Predictably, the Metropolitan Police opposed this trademark. Considering the extensive range of TARDIS merchandise flooding the markets in the UK and US, it is evident who emerged victorious in the legal dispute. The Patent Office ruled in favor of the BBC in 2002 (according to The Guardian), granting them exclusive rights to the blue police box design and allowing people the freedom to indulge in any type of TARDIS product imaginable.

18 The TARDIS Is Bigger On The Inside

All mere mortals who enter the TARDIS utter this phrase, eagerly anticipated by the Doctor. Disguised as a small blue police box, the TARDIS is a world of its own on the inside. The concept of dimensional transcendentalism explains how the TARDIS' interior surpasses its exterior in size, thanks to transdimensional engineering. In an episode called "The Robots of Death," the fourth Doctor explained this principle to his companion, Leela, using the analogy of how a larger cube can appear to fit within a smaller cube when viewed from a distance. This groundbreaking discovery allowed the Time Lords to accommodate two "cubes" in the same space. Rory simplifies the idea by describing the inside of the TARDIS as another dimension, which is precisely what it is. The TARDIS exists within its own infinite realm, capable of instantly creating and deleting rooms.

17 The TARDIS Has A Swimming Pool (And Many Other Rooms)

While the majority of Doctor Who stories focus on the control room of the TARDIS, the Doctor's ship actually boasts a multitude of rooms. The interior of the TARDIS is virtually limitless, limited only by the Doctor's imagination and desires. Introduction of additional rooms, such as a swimming pool, was first witnessed in The Invasion of Time. Depending on the occupants' wishes, the TARDIS always features at least one swimming pool. In addition to that, the ship has also been depicted with art galleries, gardens, and numerous bedrooms to accommodate the Doctor and his companions.

16 The TARDIS' Sound Is A Great Accident

The sound of the Doctor 'flying' the TARDIS, with its wheezing and whirring, groaning and moaning, has become synonymous with a trumpet heralding the Time Lord's arrival. It strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies, causing them to flee, while his allies rejoice in its presence. Those who are unfamiliar with the sound and intend harm upon others will come to dread it. However, it is important to note that this iconic sound was not always a part of the TARDIS experience.

During the initial season of the First Doctor, the TARDIS operated in complete silence. To enhance the overall appeal of the show, the TARDIS' distinct sound was later enhanced. Sound designer Brian Hodgson stumbled upon a brilliant solution by using an old house key and running it along a cluster of broken piano strings (via Wales Online). It wasn't until the following season that the earliest version of the iconic wheezing sound was introduced. Various adaptations followed, and it was in the 10th Anniversary Special, The Three Doctors, that fans finally experienced the perfected version of the sound.

15 There Are Many Types of TARDIS

The initial TARDISes ever created posed a significant risk due to their poor design, frequently experiencing malfunctions. Some of the earlier generations of TARDISes gained self-awareness and an inherent curiosity to venture out and explore the vast universe. The Doctor's TARDIS is technically classified as a Type-40, which was already considered outdated when he initially acquired "her". A Type-70 TARDIS had the capability to surpass the temporal distortion grid, the boundary separating different dimensions, whereas the Doctor's Type-40 was unable to handle such a demanding expedition. The fact that the Doctor's TARDIS is essentially an antiquated relic only adds to her endearing charm.

14 The TARDIS Isn’t The Doctor’s Only Vehicle

13 The TARDIS Is A Fortress

The TARDIS possesses the remarkable ability to dematerialize and rematerialize at will, traversing through time and space across the entire universe. This unique attribute renders the TARDIS an exceptionally valuable asset of immeasurable proportions. Its core power systems are of such immense potency that they have the potential to obliterate the universe, in the regrettable event of any mishap or malfunction. Consequently, the Time Lords have equipped the TARDIS with an array of state-of-the-art and highly sophisticated security systems, ensuring unparalleled protection.

12 The TARDIS Exists In Our Solar System

From the moment it is intact, the TARDIS becomes virtually impenetrable. Its exterior force field makes virtually any weapon in the universe useless against it. Moreover, this extraordinary vessel possesses an extraordinary sensitivity to danger, prompting it to transport itself to safety when threatened. Among its multitude of defense mechanisms, one particularly intriguing feature is its ability to transform into a dynamic, living labyrinth, ensnaring any malevolent intruders within an eternal and hopeless maze.

On May 3, 1984, astronomer Brian Skiff discovered an asteroid within the asteroid belt of our solar system. He decided to name it TARDIS, after the iconic time machine in the popular TV show Doctor Who (via Universe Guide). The choice of name was quite fitting, considering the association of Doctor Who with asteroids. According to the show's mythology, in an episode called "Image of the Fendahl," it is mentioned that our asteroid belt was originally orbiting Planet 5 before being relocated to Earth's solar system by the Time Lords around 12 million years ago. Since then, the asteroid belt has served as a starting point for space explorers and pioneers.

11 The TARDIS Doesn’t Have to Look Like A Police Box

Since TARDISes were created by Time Lords to explore the universe and expand their knowledge, it is logical that they would prefer to remain inconspicuous and hidden during their travels. To achieve this, the Time Lords developed chameleon circuits, which were integrated into the TARDIS' systems. These circuits allowed the TARDIS to seamlessly blend in with its surroundings upon materializing in a specific time and place. For example, if a TARDIS arrived in ancient Rome, it would take on the appearance of a statue or column. Although this feature is comprehensive and effective, it does not apply to the Doctor's TARDIS.

The chameleon circuit of the Doctor's TARDIS has been malfunctioning ever since its visit to 1963 London, when it got stuck in the form of a blue police box. Despite changes made to the TARDIS' exterior since then, it has remained in this beloved blue box form. There was a brief moment when the Doctor managed to temporarily repair the chameleon circuit, but upon materializing, the TARDIS would assume inappropriate disguises, attracting even more attention.

10 The Police Box Design Of The TARDIS Was For Budgetary Reasons

While the explanation within the fictional universe regarding the TARDIS' design was appropriately rooted in science fiction, the underlying reason for the ship's resemblance to a police box was purely practical. As elucidated by Slash Film, the police box design was conceived out of financial considerations, as it required minimal investment from the already strained early budget of the show. Moreover, a police box boasted a robust and durable structure, while its dimensions allowed actors to effortlessly enter the ship without appearing implausible or artificial.

9 The TARDIS Doesn’t (Or Shouldn’t) Fly

The TARDIS opens the opening credit sequence of Doctor Who with its majestic flight through the Time Vortex, being unexpectedly struck by lightning, and gracefully spinning at an astonishing speed. However, it should be noted that this representation of the TARDIS flying is not entirely accurate. Remarkably, the Doctor himself mentions in the 2006 Christmas Special that the TARDIS, as a spaceship, peculiarly engages in very minimal flying.

The TARDIS' purpose is to instantly transport from one point in space and time to another by dematerializing, traversing the Time Vortex, and re-materializing. Proper usage involves minimal travel time to ensure its systems are not strained. Nonetheless, the Doctor often disregards the regulations and risks associated with owning and operating a TARDIS.

8 The TARDIS Is Designed To Be Operated By 6 Time Lords

The Doctor initiated his journeys by covertly entering the repair room to 'borrow' the TARDIS. Since then, he has been adventuring throughout the universe, rescuing planets and averting catastrophes. Remarkably, the Doctor has accomplished all of this without any assistance from fellow Time Lords, despite the fact that the TARDIS, along with all other TARDISes, was originally intended to be piloted and operated by six Time Lords simultaneously. Throughout the entire series, there has been only one instance when the TARDIS was operated by a group of six individuals.

In the captivating final episode of the fourth series titled "Journey’s End," the malevolent Doctor Who antagonist, Davros, who is the mastermind behind the creation of the Daleks, cunningly steals Earth from its rightful place in the fabric of time and space. This audacious act involves positioning Earth alongside a cluster of other planets that have all been lost in time, exploiting their collective energy to fuel a devastating weapon known as the 'reality bomb'. Ultimately, the villainous Davros faces his downfall at the hands of two incarnations of the Doctor, Donna, a remarkable hybrid of a Time Lord and a human, and a reunion of the Doctor's beloved former companions - Sarah, Rose, Martha, Mickey, and Jack Harkness.

7 The TARDIS Can Travel To Other Realities

Not only is the TARDIS renowned for its time-traveling capabilities, but it can also transcend reality and journey to different dimensions. This remarkable feature, first witnessed in the Third Doctor's adventure titled Inferno, allows the TARDIS to venture into parallel universes, even though it was not originally designed for such travel. Managing one reality alone proves to be a challenge for the Doctor, and the introduction of alternate universes has caused significant turmoil for the Time Lord on multiple occasions.

6 The TARDIS Is Biologically Linked to The Doctor

Gallifreyan technology is highly advanced and comprehensive in order to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the keys to the universe. To transform a TARDIS into a fully functional space-time machine, it must first be infused with the biological imprint of the designated Time Lord who will operate it. This imprint is typically acquired during the initial piloting of the TARDIS and is obtained from the Rassilon Imprimatur.

In The Two Doctors episode, the sixth Doctor explains that TARDISes and other Time Machines require a Rassilon Imprimatur in order for Time Lords to travel safely using them. The Rassilon Imprimatur establishes a connection to the symbiotic nuclei within a Time Lord's cellular structure, enabling them to withstand the molecular stresses of time travel. This connection also establishes a telepathic link between the Time Lord and their TARDIS. The most significant consequence of the Rassilon Imprimatur and the subsequent symbiotic nuclei is that it grants the Time Lord the ability to regenerate.

5 There Have Been Many Attempts To Rip Off The TARDIS

Throughout the show's rich history, numerous attempts have been made to create alternative versions and adaptations of the renowned TARDIS. In The War Games, a rebellious Time Lord, known as the War Chief, presented the War Lords with his own distorted rendition of the TARDIS, as they sought to expand their conquests. The Time Lords swiftly intervened, putting an end to the War Chief and the War Lords.

In the iconic Dalek tale, The Chase, the Daleks themselves devised a means to traverse time and space, aptly named the 'Dalek Time Ship'. This vessel was specifically designed to pursue and eliminate the Doctor and his companions. The first Doctor remarked that the DARDIS was generally comparable in its capabilities and limitations to the TARDIS. Nonetheless, regardless of who is behind the creation of these time machines, they consistently lack the refinement of the TARDIS and instead appear as inferior imitations.

4 TARDIS Is A Word In The Oxford Dictionary

Picture shows: Peter Capaldi as The Doctor

Oxford has long embraced the incorporation of words derived from science fiction and fantasy genres, carefully selecting only those that have made a substantial impact over time. Notable examples include 'Jedi' and 'Klingon'. In 2002, the term 'TARDIS' earned its place in the esteemed Oxford Dictionary, a testament to the enduring devotion of Doctor Who fans who managed to keep the concept alive during its hiatus. This inclusion reaffirms the significance of the fantastical and its profound influence on the real world.

3 The TARDIS is Sentient

Throughout the series, the Doctor frequently engages in animated conversations, heated exchanges, and desperate pleas with the TARDIS. On rare occasions, the enigmatic time machine appears to respond in some manner, whether through subtle movements or even by emitting sparks that catch the Doctor off guard. There exists a storied history of TARDISes expressing grief over the loss of their Time Lords, choosing to terminate their own existence by hurtling into a nearby star or propelling themselves into the swirling depths of the Time vortex. Even as the first doctor embarked on his adventures in the TARDIS, he remained uncertain about the extent of consciousness possessed by this organically grown key to the universe.

In "The Doctor’s Wife", it unequivocally demonstrates that the TARDIS possesses sentience. The essence of the TARDIS was purloined and transplanted into a human-like being named Idris. The Doctor dedicates his time to guiding the TARDIS (Idris) back to its true form and uncovers her capacity for independent will. She possesses a conscientiousness regarding the Doctor's destination, elucidating that the navigational difficulties encountered by the TARDIS were actually deliberate efforts to lead the Doctor to where he "needed to go" rather than where he desired.

2 The TARDIS Was Grown

TARDISes, including the iconic TARDIS, were not manufactured but instead grown. The Time Lords, known as the most advanced and powerful race in the Universe, developed the ability to naturally cultivate space-time vessels. Due to the inability of computers to withstand the intense stresses of dimensional change and reality space-time warping, TARDISes required the incorporation of protoplasm and unstable organic matter to successfully endure the challenges of such interdimensional travel.

1 The TARDIS Appears Throughout History

In "The Impossible Planet," the Doctor hints that the TARDIS would be unable to operate without the presence of Gallifrey, implying a deep connection between his home planet and the source of the TARDIS' power. The forgotten origin of this power is unveiled in The Deadly Assassin, where the Doctor uncovers the Eye of Harmony, a key power source within the TARDIS. This remarkable nucleus is the result of Rassilon, the legendary Time Lord, successfully trapping a black hole. Previously believed to be mere legend, the Eye of Harmony is ultimately rediscovered by the Doctor and his arch nemesis, the Master, bringing the essence of Gallifrey back to life.

Due to the Doctor's extensive travels across time and space in the long-running series Doctor Who, he has left a lasting impact on various points in history. Alongside the ever-changing incarnation of the Doctor, the iconic TARDIS has also become an enduring symbol cherished by those saved by the Doctor. In the episode "The End of Time," Wilford Mott encounters a representation of the TARDIS in the stained-glass window of a church. He learns of an ancient tale featuring a mysterious individual who rescued a convert from a malevolent entity. It becomes clear that this enigmatic hero was none other than the Doctor, with the TARDIS serving as his emblematic icon.