# 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:** 17
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/321 "2003-08-27T16:22:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scuba\_Ben \* > \*\*It’s been the new millenium for 2 2/3 years now. What info is there on 21st century style death rays? > \*\* Early on in this thread, I mentioned the 3 major American death ray companies (Electro, Rochester, and North American). These control around 75% of the domestic market. Outside the US, the only death ray manufactorers of any note are the Sans-Serbais Death Ray Company, which operates in the south of France, and the Manitoba Death Ray Corporation of the aforementioned Canadian province. There are various small death ray companies around the US, and in Canada, Great Britain, France, and Australia. (It is illeagal to _own_, much less make, a death ray in Germany.) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/322 "2003-08-27T17:12:07Z")
And yet Krupps manufactured a double top secret death ray to be mounted on their invisible fighter bombers that were designed to bring ale and bratwurst to the front line troops without being seen. Trouble was, though, after the prototype was made, it got lost. No one could find it (for obvious reasons). So, they went back to drawing boards, the NAZI War People Drawing Boards™ (Fighting Jews and Communists Since 1923 - It’s taking longer that we thought), and redesigned the invisible jet. The redesign went rather more smoothly and they soon revealed to the Hitler guy a very small dog which was actually able to keep quiet and not shake. [Here](http://www.nexus1.net/OST-Photos/OST-5.jpg) is a photo of the prototype (note the radial cooling fins). The Krupps death ray continued to be manufatured as a coffee grinder. You can even find some today at the 1920s style Super Walmart of your choice. They’re labled as Cintronella Candles. ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/323 "2003-08-27T17:41:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Early on in this thread, I mentioned the 3 major American death ray companies (Electro, Rochester, and North American). These control around 75% of the domestic market. Outside the US, the only death ray manufactorers of any note are the Sans-Serbais Death Ray Company, which operates in the south of France, and the Manitoba Death Ray Corporation of the aforementioned Canadian province. There are various small death ray companies around the US, and in Canada, Great Britain, France, and Australia. (It is illeagal to _own_, much less make, a death ray in Germany.) \*\* Actually, Canada, France and Austrailia are 1920’s style Death-Ray part manufacturers, some of the assembly plants in the US have recently been moved to Mexico under NAFTA. The assembly in GB is now being re-evaluated to see if South African plants can handle the assembly. Here is a recent 1920’s style Death-Ray factory in Germany being dismantled:[http://www.bryanboyer.com/summer2002/travels/germany/](http://www.bryanboyer.com/summer2002/travels/germany/) ---
**Author:** ![Nekosoft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@Nekosoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nekosoft)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/324 "2003-08-27T17:54:28Z")
To go back to a previous point, a 1920’s style Death-Ray would almost certainly triumph over Batman, as the Death-Ray is always prepared. The true question is a 1920’s style Death-Ray versus a jar of pickles… ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/325 "2003-08-27T17:59:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frixxxx \* > \*\* > > Here is a recent 1920’s style Death-Ray factory in Germany being dismantled:[http://www.bryanboyer.com/summer2002/travels/germany/](http://www.bryanboyer.com/summer2002/travels/germany/) \*\* I think the guy in the picture you linked got too close to a 1920’s style death ray that malfunctioned and went FNORD. ---
**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 27, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/326 "2003-08-27T18:06:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Desmostylus \* > \*\*Now keep it up for another full page. \*\* Or else what? You’ll threaten us? What, pray tell, will you threaten us with? ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/327 "2003-08-27T18:10:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*Or else what? You’ll threaten us? What, pray tell, will you threaten us with? \*\* {frixxxx polishes his 1920’s style death-ray}😃 {Nekosoft polishes his jar of pickles}:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/328 "2003-08-27T18:12:12Z")
Oh! Oh! I know. ---
**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 27, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/329 "2003-08-27T18:52:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Grey \* > \*\*Bur really, what was it about the 1920’s that made such an impact on the style of Death Rays? \*\* It was the result of a chance discovery. Docotr Augustus Eule, a scientist working for the Westinghouse company, was examining the feasibility of retrofitting earlier death ray models with 1920’s style exteriors. While many scientists simply assumed that changing the rays’ housing would have no effect on the ray, Eule wanted to be sure. He discovered that there was a difference. The streamlined geometric shapes of art deco ray shells acted as resonators. This increased a ray’s efficiency. You got a more powerful beam, without having to use more power. The art deco style also favored polychrome and dore. Eule found that both of these increased the resonance effect. Eule’s discoveries were as important to death rays as transistors were to computers. Sadly, like the inventor of transistors, Eule was a salaried man whose work was owned by his employer. Today, both men are largely forgotten. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mudshark_ > **You know, there hasn’t been much talk of 1930’s style death rays.** As others have posted, there weren’t many death rays made in the 30’s. However, the Vanderbilt’s and other wealthy families did have some custom made as status symbols. In a time when many struggled simply to eat, having a death ray showed you were truly rich. The Pew Charitable Trusts, the many Melon charity organizations, and others were later started by heirs trying to atone for the selfishness of their parents. ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/330 "2003-08-27T19:03:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\* While many scientists simply assumed that changing the rays’ housing would have no effect on the ray, Eule wanted to be sure. He discovered that there was a difference. The streamlined geometric shapes of art deco ray shells acted as resonators. This increased a ray’s efficiency. You got a more powerful beam, without having to use more power. The art deco style also favored polychrome and dore. Eule found that both of these increased the resonance effect. Eule’s discoveries were as important to death rays as transistors were to computers. Sadly, like the inventor of transistors, Eule was a salaried man whose work was owned by his employer. Today, both men are largely forgotten. \*\* Doc, You brought up an interesting point with Eule. Beacuse of his research, determination and a willing to say, “I can make it BETTER!”, he made it possible to own a 1920’s style Death-Ray an still remain in style. That is why Electro’s mission statement follows the “Eule Rule: The classier the design, the craftier the DEATH-RAY!”:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/331 "2003-08-27T20:36:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frixxxx \* > \*\*Actually, Canada, France and Austrailia are 1920’s style Death-Ray part manufacturers, some of the assembly plants in the US have recently been moved to Mexico under NAFTA. The assembly in GB is now being re-evaluated to see if South African plants can handle the assembly. > \*\* With the third part, you’re right, I forgot about reading that in the May issue of “The Industrial Report on Death Rays”, but I know for certain that they still make complete death rays in Canada and France, as I own a 2002 Sans-Serbais, and have a friend that has a 2003 Manitoba. Also, if you read Mexican law, the federal government of Mexico is the legal owner of all Mexican-made death rays. (Oh, to answer a previous question: There actually were quite a few death rays made in the 1930’s. However, they don’t fit into a certain style, the way the 20’s or post-war (1946-1965) death rays do.) ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/332 "2003-08-27T21:47:18Z")
Now, what was this about a 1920’s style jar of pickles? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/333 "2003-08-27T22:02:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ponder Stibbons \* > \*\*Now, what was this about a 1920’s style jar of pickles? \*\* No no no. It’s a jar of pickles _that can be opened by_ a 1920’s style Death Ray. A goal that has facinated and eluded 1920’s style Death-Ray Scientists for years. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/334 "2003-08-27T22:11:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*But, not a single Tucker death ray car was ever made. \*\* You know, a thought hit me at work today. The Brazilian Tucker has disappeared. Word had it that it was stolen, then the Tucker Club announced that the car had merely been “moved.” And yet, I can no longer find any reference to it on their website, nor have I been able to turn up any of the webpages on the net that reference the car. All of them have disappeared. Me thinks that someone’s planning on finishing what Tucker started. I think someone needs to alert the CIA about this. If Al Queada’s managed to get their hands on the car, learn it’s secrets and complete the car, they’ll have a nearly unstoppable superweapon! I shit you not! Remember, Tucker invented a combat car in 1936 which could do 60 MPH under battlefield conditions, which was waaay faster than the tanks could do at the time. He was a man ahead of his time, and let’s hope that his dream of a better future doesn’t get twisted into a godawful nightmare. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/335 "2003-08-27T22:19:58Z")
This guy inventor H Grindell-Matthews, didn’t his students take his work and turn it into Radar technology? Reminds me of when I eyed up a homemade laser in my Dad’s old home electronics magazines. Course they were 1970’s death rays, cheap and tacky, not like they used to make 'em in the 20s… ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/336 "2003-08-28T00:22:53Z")
I am proud to be a part of this mega-post (which I am joining extremely late). Forgive me if I haven’t read each and every post and I am hoping I do not post duplicate information. Somewhere in this thread - it may have been Page 5 about half-way down, someone made a passing reference to a 1920’s style death ray. This made me think of a movie, “The Invisible Ray” [http://www.imdb.com/Title?0027800](http://www.imdb.com/Title?0027800) starring Boris Karloff as Dr. Janos Rukh (a thinly veiled attempt to make us think it really _isn’t_ Nikola Tesla - hah - nice try). This movie (although released in 1936), illustrates very well the technology behind the 1920’s style death ray. A movie I have not seen is also titled “The Invisible Ray” and it was released in … 1920 !!! Spooky huh? Just wondering. A very famous sign on Area 51 proclaims that they are authorized to use deadly force against trespassers. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to _which_ weapon they would choose to enforce this rule ? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/337 "2003-08-28T00:36:06Z")
Excellent find, **wolf\_meister**! **GQ** is a real expert on these things, I wonder why he _didn’t_ mention it? Perhaps it just slipped his mind. (Ooooh, do you think he was hit by one of those 1940s Amnesia Rays?) ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/338 "2003-08-28T02:18:48Z")
How about the episode of The Simpsons wherein Apu is caught having an affair: Marge & Homer sit down to discuss what they can do to help. Marge looks at Homer and asks, “are you thinking what I’m thinking?” At which point we see Homer imagining himself flying over crowds of people zapping them with a 1920s style death ray. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/339 "2003-08-28T02:37:49Z")
Just discovered [this!](http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/program/news99/991001-news-madden.htm) > [@](#): > > But police, city officials, town newspaper—no San Clemente locals had much information about the place. A call to TRW yielded nothing, except the rather bizarre suggestion that officials would talk to me if I were “on assignment for Adweek or some more traditional aerospace publication that really speaks more to the industry.” Because, you know, only industry people would be interested in the fact that a massive death ray is being aimed, fired and re-holstered in the hills of South County. Of course, if you believe the article, then it’s a 1960’s style death ray, but we all know what the _real_ truth is! ---
**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 28, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/340 "2003-08-28T03:01:39Z")
[Did Squanto have a 1600’s style “Death Ray”?](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=12&u=/ap/20030827/ap_on_re_us/jamestown_fort_2) Oh, and did anyone follow up my recommendation and check out “Mitchner’s Military Surplus, Personal Electronics & Class IIIF Lasers” or any of the articles I mentioned back on Page 6? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=18)