What the original story behind the 1920’s style deat rays? I didn’t make a search because it would most probably have turned some thousands of posts not giving any explanation.
I think the title of the thread was “Are scaler weapons fo real?”
Here’s a thread that deals with the origin, complete with links:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=254038&highlight=death+origin
Yeah, that was a fun thread, although not the most productive in SDMB GQ history.
RR
Though the OP has been answered already via a link to an explanatory thread, I’ll provide a direct link to the original thread.
This phrase comes from Dogface’s accidental triple post in this this inexplicably hilarious thread,
spawned this thread: 1920’s death ray DEBUNKED;
And this thread: I have solved the death ray problem;
And this: ENOUGH with the 1920’s death rays!
In my memory, this phrase spread the furthest and fastest of any. An uncontrolled wildfire of humor.
OH! A 1920’s style death ray. I thought this thread would have a question about a 1,920 foot style of death ray. To my knowledge, no such thing exists.
Not productive? You must be crazy. That thread gave rise to quite possibly the most popular, most used phrase in SDMB history! What the heck definition of productive do you use?
Ah yes that brings back memories. I was proud to have made a few of those 1,000 plus posts. You know why the thread was closed don’t you? We were getting close … ***too close * ** … to the answer. So, the Powers That Be (the Illuminatti, the Trilateral Commission, The New World Order, The Shadow Government, etc) had to swing into action and suppress the truth. I’d say more but I’m in fear of my life as it is. Oh and besides that , it time for my medication.
Thanks for your answers. I didn’t read the 1018 posts of the original thread, though. I think I nevertheless got the general idea…
Ah, but you haven’t heard [Paul Harvey]The Rest of The Story[PH]:
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays.”
etc.
And whatever you do - don’t use the phrase in an attempt to be humerous or you’ll be jumped on by some f**king jerk who will chide you for using it, even though he/she has used it themselves.
Can you tell I’m bitter?
I don’t know how I missed that thread furt. Kudos to you and mangetout
I think the proper 1920s style warning would have been to say, “don’t use it if you know what’s good for you.”
Somehow I just know that this thread is going to be on the board all day…
The principle commercial usage of 1920’s Style Death Rays is to burn your dog. 
Burnt dog can be kept fresh for up to 4 weeks inside a cooler of death.
From the Official Death-Ray Operator’s Manual and Limerick Book:
“When operating a ray gun of fatalistic capabilities, especially one more than seventy-five years old, it is important that the enduser aforesaid wear a protective head device manufactured from virgin tin foil.”
Heh, heh.
For the inevitable query, here is the I burning your dog thread.