The time warp synthesizer is a device created by Doctor Zee to permit travel back and forth through time, which is considered by the Colonials to be the fourth dimension.
The device, apparently small enough to be installed in a Colonial Viper, works on the principle that once a person exceeds the speed of light, one can travel back in time. Jamie Hamilton equates this to Albert Einstein's special theory of relativity, which Troy confirms is correct.
As a result of going through time, the molecules of the synthetic fibers change color (which has to do with magnetic stress loads), thus the uniforms worn by time travelers are turned white. This includes the helmet and other equipment on a person (Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II).
Usage[edit]
Xaviar proposes using the invention in order to advance Earth's development from the past, despite the fact that it has never been tested, nor do the Colonials know what side effects of time manpiulation will occur. He later does this against the wishes of the Council, which forces Adama to recall Troy and Dillon, so they may pursue Xaviar back to 1944 and stop him from giving the Nazi's advanced technology (Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II).