Charlie Chaplin may be the loveable, Derby hat-wearing silent film star, who steals your heart without uttering a word in films like “Modern Times,” but the early 20^th Century (and decades deceased) star was the viral buzz this week. In fact, “Charlie Chaplin” was trending on Twitter.

What makes Chaplin so tech-savvy and cool these past few days? Two words: Time travel.

I kid you not, that’s what reports are touting. Apparently a woman using what some have called a cell phone can be seen in one of Chaplin’s 1928 flicks, leading some to cry wormholes and warp speed. Take a look for yourself:

While time travel is…um….one explanation, several other theories have also popped up (after all – a carrier that gets reception back in the 1920s minus the use of satellites isn’t necessarily the most plausible scenario).

One theory: Public Relations, social media and one clever viral campaign.

Many news stories have linked the time travel buzz to this week’s 25^th anniversary of “Back to the Future” and its release to DVD and Blu-ray. This account involves a lot less physics – and a dash of Hollywood promotion – that has everyone (from TIME to The Washington Post to MTV) talking.

To learn more about social media and viral campaigns follow the Orlando Public Relations Firm Wellons Communications on Facebook and Twitter.