The Time Machine
- You may be looking for the audio story known as Exploration Earth, also called "The Time Machine".
The Time Machine was a short science fiction novel by H. G. Wells, which may have been inspired by Wells' adventure with the Sixth Doctor (DW: Timelash), or possibly by Wells' friend Theophilus Tolliver. (TVA: The Eternal Present)
Professor Chronotis read a paperback copy of this story following a visit by the Fourth Doctor. (DW: Shada)
The Eighth Doctor once told Forster that he would recommend the book to anyone looking for "original and stimulating reading matter" and noted the concept to be "quite enthralling". (EDA: Casualties of War)
Likewise, the Seventh Doctor relaxed by reading a copy of this book during his aborted mission to return the Master's remains to Gallifrey. Following his regeneration soon after, the Eighth Doctor once more attempted to do the same; both times, a skipping record interrupted him. (DW: Doctor Who) He eventually finished it some time after. (EDA: The Eight Doctors)
Behind the scenes
- Doctor Who owes a great debt to H. G. Wells in general and to The Time Machine. The 1960 film version in particular, combined with Wells' The War of the Worlds, quite possibly inspired The Daleks.