I gave it lots of thought and solicited the suggestions of valued fellow paranoids to come up with a reasonable starting point for a time travel kit. My list is:

• Fire: matches and/or a lighter. Handy in many situations and critical in some.
• Medicine: aspirin and an antibiotic ointment will go a long way.
• Food & water: an emergency supply to get you through the first couple of days. Water purification tablets would be smart, too.
• Time: a mechanical watch will help you observe durations, soothe a baby to sleep, etc.
• Needles: useful for so many things, including sewing and suturing. Bring some thread, too.
• Knife: this is one of the most versatile tools ever and indispensable in any time period.
• Notebook & pencil: you’re going to be learning a lot. writing things down will be useful
• Towel: an homage to Douglas Adams, and just as handy as he explained.
• Reference books: Henley’s Formulas will help you brew up all sorts of things; a self-sufficiency manual will help you farm and build shelter.
• Metal cup: can be used to eat from, cook in, mix things in, carry water and small objects.
• Rug or mat: useful for sleeping on, claiming your space, use as a makeshift shelter, for warmth in cold weather.
• Tobacco seeds: Earn some money in whatever the current currency is.
• Umbrella: use as a rain shelter, cane, stabbing weapon, to hook branches, or use it for parts.

Imagine oou have no idea if you will be thrust into the future or the past, nor how far. What would you take with you?