# 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:** 25
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/481 "2003-09-01T00:04:28Z")
Revolving deathrays are banned in Moldavia. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/482 "2003-09-01T00:27:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMule \* > **GQ You really should open an institute for the study and production of 1920’s style death rays.** There already is a good one, the Institute For The Promotion Of Death Rays, connected to the University of Chicago. The next time you’re in that city, come visit it. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/483 "2003-09-01T00:30:41Z")
**NoClueBoy** brings an idea to mind. Would it be possible to create a gatling gun style death ray. From all the information posted so far, the recharge time of a 1920s style death ray is a minute and a half at best. If there were a system or rotating death ray device. 1. how would it operate 2. Would heat dissipating become a problem 3. how much power would be required 4. would this be best used in hand held or mounted 5. if this system was used with the tucker invi-o-mobile (again with modern components, but retaining the 1920s design elements) would it be able to fire and cloak 6. Fire and drive 7. fire drive and cloak ================================== Also where do you see the death ray going now? The history is quite impressive, but where are we going? What is the future of the death-ray? A 1920s death ray is a wonderful thing, there can be no argument. But what would a 1990s style death ray Be like, or even a 21st Century death-ray. Please let me know about the glorious future of this wonderful device, as it is instrumental in my plans for… I have already said to much ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/484 "2003-09-01T00:34:13Z")
oh and 8) Hi opal ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/485 "2003-09-01T00:41:38Z")
If you want to know what a 1990’s death ray is like, find a death ray dealer in your city, and they’ll be willing to show you what they have in stock. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/486 "2003-09-01T01:02:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMule \* > \*\ ***NoClueBoy** brings an idea to mind. Would it be possible to create a gatling gun style death ray. From all the information posted so far, the recharge time of a 1920s style death ray is a minute and a half at best. If there were a system or rotating death ray device. > > 1. how would it operate\*\* One’s best bet would to have the DRs hooked up to a series of capacitors which would charge while waiting to be rotated into firing position. Of course, this means that you’re going to have to have a massive electric motor turning the whole set up, which is going to take a _lot_ of power. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Would heat dissipating become a problem\*\* Potentially, it depends upon how you’ve mounted the device. If you mount it so that only 1 barrel’s visible, then you’re going to have a number of heat related problems. However, if you mount it so that the whole unit when firing is fully exposed, you shouldn’t have nearly so many problems. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. how much power would be required\*\* I’m thinking at least a gigawatt, but I don’t have any specific numbers available to me at the moment to do an accurate calculation. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. would this be best used in hand held or mounted\*\* Mounted, most definately. I can’t imagine it weighing less than a ton. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. if this system was used with the tucker invi-o-mobile (again with modern components, but retaining the 1920s design elements) would it be able to fire and cloak > 2. Fire and drive > 3. fire drive and cloak\*\* Yes, but it could only be housed in something like a semi-trailer with a large Caterpillar generator on-board (to provide the necessary electrical power), so the cloaking would be pretty pointless, IMHO. \*\* > [@](#): > > ================================== > Also where do you see the death ray going now? The history is quite impressive, but where are we going? What is the future of the death-ray? A 1920s death ray is a wonderful thing, there can be no argument. But what would a 1990s style death ray Be like, or even a 21st Century death-ray. Please let me know about the glorious future of this wonderful device, as it is instrumental in my plans for… I have already said to much \*\* It all depends, IMHO, what happens in North Korea. If NK _does_ test a nuke, then I think you’ll see a dramatic explosion in DR research, greater than that during WWII. If NK is _unable_ to test a nuke, then I think you’ll see research and progress continue at about the same pace it currently has. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/487 "2003-09-01T01:04:50Z")
That still doesn’t answer the 7-part question GQ, but thanks for the info ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/488 "2003-09-01T01:08:28Z")
Where I see the death ray going now? Well, that depends on one major thing: death ray production in the U.S. is controlled by three companies. For all practical purposes, the future of the American death ray is in their hands. That said, here are two major independents that could explode soon: the Standard Death Ray Company of Louisville, Kentucky, and Lone Star Death Ray, Inc., of Dallas, Texas. Don’t be startled if they reach importance in the next few years. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/489 "2003-09-01T01:21:05Z")
When I say where do you see it going, what modifications, add ons and extra’s do you see being added to your standard death ray. Would there be some no lethal compontets, Death-ray sniper options, perhaps heat-seaking porjectiles. Perhaps AI enchance floating Death-ray bots. As an evil dictator to be, I really need to know. ALso are Ming-Mongo Unlimited still in operantion? I feel their contribution to the field testing of death rays as well as their research into oversized death rays has been totally ignored in this thread ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/490 "2003-09-01T01:27:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Where I see the death ray going now? Well, that depends on one major thing: death ray production in the U.S. is controlled by three companies. For all practical purposes, the future of the American death ray is in their hands. > > That said, here are two major independents that could explode soon: the Standard Death Ray Company of Louisville, Kentucky, and Lone Star Death Ray, Inc., of Dallas, Texas. Don’t be startled if they reach importance in the next few years. \*\* Hmm, apparently this hasn’t hit the national news yet, but evidently, the Feds are doing an investigation of Standard Death Ray Company, for what reason I’m not sure. I’ve heard rumors that it has something to do with insider trading, but I also noticed in Friday’s _USA Today_ that a number of companies have to come to light as having sold Iraq prohibited items. The Feds have declined to name the companies (prudent, IMHO, since some of the companies didn’t _know_ they were selling things to Iraq) and what the items were. I hope that Standard Death Ray Company is cleared of any wrong doing as I’ve seen an advance prototype of what they were working on and, _man_, is it ever _sweet_! It might totally redefine what a DR is! ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/491 "2003-09-01T01:29:24Z")
Thank God I’m not a stockholder. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/492 "2003-09-01T03:27:56Z")
**zhlf210** , I just noticed this thread or I would have answered sooner. It appears [this fellow]([http://www.powerlabs.org/uwavexp.htm#The](http://www.powerlabs.org/uwavexp.htm#The) POWERLABS Microwave Gun!) is possibly trying to develop a 1920’s style “Death Ray” - perhaps. Then again, I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/493 "2003-09-01T03:50:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Thank God I’m not a stockholder. \*\* You only say that because you haven’t seen the prototype, **GQ**. I can’t go into too much detail as to what it offers due to legal reasons, but I think I can let a few things slip:[ul] [li]On-the-fly selectable beam color changes[/li][li]Fully integrated targeting system[/li][li]Power settings which range from “Death” to “Wipe 'em All Out”[/li][li]Positronic Recoil Control[/li][li]Full Quark Shielding[/li][li]Automatic Overload Suppression[/li][li]Skywalker-style handgrips[/li][/ul]They’ve even got a Cartier designed shell (other designs will be available as well). I’m telling you, that it’s going to redefine what a DR is! ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/494 "2003-09-01T05:03:58Z")
So, in short, what’s the answer to the OP? ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/495 "2003-09-01T05:06:29Z")
23 skidoo ---
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/496 "2003-09-01T05:10:25Z")
Hmmm… Speaking of investigations, **Tucker** ol’ boy, it occurs to me to wonder whether or not our obvious interest and extensive discussion regarding this topic might have gotten us all placed on some sort of Homeland Security watchlist. Clearly, the powers that be aren’t worried about the WMD potential of 1920’s style death rays, despite the _USA Today_ scoop you mention; otherwise the NBC protocol (nuclear, biological, chemical) would have a different name. I wonder if that’s an accurate assessment, or if we’re just one awful incident away from seeing the name expanded to NBCDR (i.e. nuclear, biological, chemical, and your little dog Death Ray, too). ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/497 "2003-09-01T05:21:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RedFury \* > \*\*So, in short, what’s the answer to the OP? \*\* Well, the serious responses can be found [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202225#post3796531), [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202225#post3801853), [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202225#post3803395), and [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202225#post3853378) Basically, no one’s been able to provide any hard data on how they could work, nor can everyone agree on what they might actually do. So, it looks to be BS. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/498 "2003-09-01T05:33:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*Hmmm… Speaking of investigations, **Tucker** ol’ boy, it occurs to me to wonder whether or not our obvious interest and extensive discussion regarding this topic might have gotten us all placed on some sort of Homeland Security watchlist. Clearly, the powers that be aren’t worried about the WMD potential of 1920’s style death rays, despite the _USA Today_ scoop you mention; otherwise the NBC protocol (nuclear, biological, chemical) would have a different name. I wonder if that’s an accurate assessment, or if we’re just one awful incident away from seeing the name expanded to NBCDR (i.e. nuclear, biological, chemical, and your little dog Death Ray, too). \*\* Yes, that _is_ possible. I know that there’s supposed to be a variant of Carnivore (or whatever the Feds are calling it these days) that scans the web looking for key phrases. Perhaps we should consider doing what the [Swiss have done](http://www.supervillainizer.ch/) and create a program to overload the whole set up. IAC, I certainly _hope_ the Feds don’t come a knockin’. I’m no terrorist, but I’ve got enough stuff laying about that I certainly _look_ like a terrorist to someone paranoid. It’s frustrating that legitimate research can get you into trouble because of a bunch of nutbags, you know? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/499 "2003-09-01T05:40:48Z")
Thank you, **Tuckefan**. Saved me a lot of work. Interesting topic. ---
**Author:** ![Patricinus\_Scriblerus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@Patricinus\_Scriblerus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patricinus_Scriblerus)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/500 "2003-09-01T06:08:01Z")
Just when I was starting to doubt the existence of a 1920’s style death ray I came across a reference for a little known element called “destructonium” that a scientist was using to develop his ray gun. He was quoted as saying “Mad-scientific progress has been set back 20 years,” Mortis said. “If you want to see yet another boring paper on relativistic heavy-ion colliders or synchrotron radiation, by all means, drain my lifeblood! But don’t come crying to me when you need technologies to enslave the human race.” You can check out the full script of his comments on his [positronic raygun](http://www.theonion.com/current_news1.html) here [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=26)