# Are scalar weapons for real? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879 "2003-08-04T12:50:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/241 "2003-08-21T04:15:26Z")
I do apologise…but I fear I must remain enigmatic…you must work it out for yourselves…look to the runes… You see…I could tell you more, but then I would have to kill you with a 1920s style death ray. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/242 "2003-08-21T04:40:54Z")
[DAVE BARRY]isn´t “1920´s-style death ray” a cool name for a rock band? [/DAVE BARRY] ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/243 "2003-08-21T13:10:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by paperbackwriter \* > \*\* > Wherever you are, a drive to Cape Ann is wonderful this time of year. Don’t forget to go to the boardwalk in Rockport. You can get lobster out of the lobster pots. Literally can’t get any fresher. \*\* No need to go to Rockport. I live on the shore in the southeastern part of Mass. My buddy Virgil just called to say he found some plans in an old Popular Science for something that we can aim right at the bay to cook the lobsters sitting on the bottom. He’s building one of these ray things out in his shed. It’s based on technology from the 1920s. We’re gonna give it a shot this afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/244 "2003-08-21T14:02:17Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Lobster Rays”. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/245 "2003-08-21T16:22:52Z")
**Vern** , I grew up on Buzzard’s Bay, so I “knew” some of the lobsters from that body of water. I was just suggesting a side trip while you were at Miskatonic. But now that you say where you are, I’d suggest waiting until after Labor Day. You’ll never get through the traffic on 128. Until then, enjoy the lobster. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/246 "2003-08-21T16:54:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by SirRay_ > **I’ve been to Franklin Mills, but didn’t see any underground scientific shop.** > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > **That would be because, as my post said, the shop was never built.** I would never accuse you of being misleading, Dr. Cathode, but you’re omitting a rather significant detail here. Yes, of course, no scientific facility was ever constructed at Franklin Mills. This much is true. But that’s because it was constructed at _Grover_ Mills. Surely you’ve heard the famous recordings of the incident in which the facility’s perimeter failed catastrophically, as reported by radio journalist Herbert G. “Orson” Wells? ---
**Author:** ![tramp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tramp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tramp)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/247 "2003-08-21T17:43:03Z")
I saw a car jacking at the Franklin Mills mall. The car jacker had a 1920’s style death ray. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/248 "2003-08-21T18:13:49Z")
In the good old days, **Manhattan** would have thrown this thread into MPSIMS days ago. Own up, who shot **Manny** with their 1920’s style Death Ray? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/249 "2003-08-21T18:53:07Z")
I think someone one shot Manny with a 1940’s style Befudlement ray > [@](#): > > I lovelovelove the death ray thread; my only disappointment is that the membership was unable to develop one to surpass the 20’s-style death rays. I’d have made an exception to the rules for a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/250 "2003-08-21T18:57:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless \* > \*\*In the good old days, **Manhattan** would have thrown this thread into MPSIMS days ago. Own up, who shot **Manny** with their 1920’s style Death Ray? \*\* [Ed](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205809), apparently. And this should come as no surprise; after all, there was a period in the 1940’s when the name **Zotti** was synonymous with quality Death Rays (“Zap 'em with a Zotti!”). ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/251 "2003-08-21T21:30:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*I would never accuse you of being misleading, Dr. Cathode, but you’re omitting a rather significant detail here. Yes, of course, no scientific facility was ever constructed at Franklin Mills. This much is true. But that’s because it was constructed at _Grover_ Mills. Surely you’ve heard the famous recordings of the incident in which the facility’s perimeter failed catastrophically, as reported by radio journalist Herbert G. “Orson” Wells? \*\* Of course. The information, misinformation, and disinformation surrounding that incident were organized and published by Dr Banzai and his staff. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/252 "2003-08-21T21:52:31Z")
\ \ There are no 1920 style death rays. What you really saw was either swamp gas, a weather balloon, or the planet Venus. I trust we won’t have to discuss this again. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/253 "2003-08-21T22:18:43Z")
\\ …So, we meet again. ---
**Author:** ![T.Slothrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@T.Slothrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Slothrop)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/254 "2003-08-22T01:19:33Z")
I found one, but it needs fins:[http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/](http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/255 "2003-08-22T01:37:01Z")
\ \ How did you hooligans get into this lab? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/256 "2003-08-22T02:35:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by T. Slothrop \* > \*\*I found one, but it needs fins:[http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/](http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/) \*\* that is quite clearly a 1950’s style pain ray. Look at the exposed wires, molded plastic and metal case, and flashing lights. couple that with dials and diodies, and you are just a vacum tube and a set of fins away. you think after all this people would learn what a 1920’s style death ray looks like. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/257 "2003-08-22T06:37:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by T. Slothrop \* > \*\*I found one, but it needs fins:[http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/](http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/02/new.weapon.02/) \*\* I think I used to shoot at those things in _Air Warror_. Or _Civilization II_, or possibly _Tank Platoon_. I can’t remember which. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/258 "2003-08-22T06:55:54Z")
_Air Warr **i** or_, that is. A place outside San Jose sells vintage death rays. “Mitchner’s Military Surplus, Personal Electronics & Class IIIF Lasers.” The "Death Ray Section is on the second floor next to the old Vacuum Tube / Vintage Lab Equipment Section. I shopped there a few times a while back. Got a good deal on a used Mahoney JX-50 Mk. II from 1949. Just $1545.00 plus state and federal taxes and the optional NAQSA (North American American Questionable Scientists’ Association) registration fee. The last time I was there I broswed through their Death Ray and Destructor Beam catalog. There were at least 12 different death rays from before 1937 listed, including the fairly rare Miskatonic Graduate Systems Electrostun III (list price $14,300), a 1933 Ryan Peacemaker 600 (list price $16,000), a Wells-Crowden Model 26 (I don’t remember the list price), and an original Tesla Multicoil Alpha Ray (list price $34,500). ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/259 "2003-08-22T07:21:35Z")
Seeing the references to Prof. Servo and the Forresters reminded me of some other good articles death rays. Dyer & Padobie, “Evidence of Ancient “Ray” Effects on Geologic Formations in Antarctica”, Northeastern Science Monthly, June 1938 Erhardt, “The Judean Death Ray Myth”, Questionable Science Quarterly, August 1992. Hidaka & Murase, “Effects of Ray Weapons on a Relative of the Archelon ischyros”, November 1965, Kaiju Studies Adams, Exeter & Meacham, “Common Metals and their Conversion to Radioactive Elements”, June 1955, Interplanetary Scientific Cody, “Effects of the Lunar Enviroment on Heat Ray Capabilities.”, Future Knowledge Annual (1952 Edition) UNIT, et al., “Dangers Posed by Disintigration Weapons to Armored Fighting Vehicles”, May 1980, “European Security Review” Erhardt, incidentally, was Dr. Forrester’s original research associate. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/260 "2003-08-22T11:03:43Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=14)