c. 1886
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
A very old beginning
An early Plantation House photograph, traditionally said to show Jonathan. The identity and exact date have been disputed.
Historical photograph · US public domain
Identification disputedFROM 1832 TO A FICTIONAL FUTURETime moves on.
Time moves on.
Jonathan doesn't rush.
Discover the real photographic timeline and the made-up Roadster and Moon chapters.
CHAPTER 01 / THROUGH THE AGESOne tortoise.
One tortoise.
Two centuries.
Seven archival photographic milestones, followed by two imagined futures. Real history ends where the legend begins.
1914
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
A century already behind him
A photograph of two tortoises, historically attributed to Jonathan and a companion. Identification is uncertain.
Saint Helena Island Info · rights not cleared for download
Shown from the original archive1942
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
A governor’s old acquaintance
Jonathan is reported photographed with Governor Bain-Gray during the Second World War.
Saint Helena Island Info · rights not cleared for download
Shown from the original archive1947
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
The royal visit
A documented royal visit to Saint Helena was photographed with Jonathan. The surviving published image has a sepia appearance.
Guinness World Records Kids · rights not cleared for download
Shown from the original archive2014
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
Still taking his time
Jonathan at Plantation House, captured by David Stanley.
David Stanley · CC BY 2.0
2020
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
The legend keeps going
Jonathan walks the Plantation House lawn in a photograph by Kevstan.
Kevstan · CC BY-SA 4.0
2022
ARCHIVAL PHOTO
Nearly two centuries on Earth
A color photograph of Jonathan at Plantation House by Kevin Gepford.
Kevin Gepford · CC BY-SA 4.0
2026
FICTIONAL ART
Meet Elonathan
In our fictional adventure, Jonathan takes the wheel of a rocket-powered Roadster. One ride later, he gets a whole new name.
Original fictional artwork
2032
FICTIONAL ART
200 years. Moon and back.
In an imagined future, Jonathan reaches his estimated 200th year and takes a round trip to the Moon on a fictional Tesla-built rocket.
Original fictional artwork
2032 is an estimate, not a verified birth dateThe dividing line: Jonathan's historical photographs are authentic references. The 2026 Roadster adventure and projected 2032 lunar mission are entirely fictional. His birth year is estimated, not exact.
