# 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:** 50
**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:** [November 12, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/981 "2003-11-12T00:38:58Z")
Hmm. I sit corrected. So the notes at first appear to be serious. Analysis will reveal satirical commentar. Further analysis reveals actual scientific notes. How could I have forgotten Calvin’s statement “Of course I have secret projects. I tell the details to everybody. That’s the best way to keep a secret.” :smack: ---
**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:** [November 12, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/982 "2003-11-12T03:41:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > \*\*Wasn’t it later revealed that Dr. Reisinger’s assistant (who’s name escapes me at the moment) was the one who figured out that when Dr. Calvin wrote “shaving cream” it was code for “Illudium Phosdex” and that was what enabled them to build their own tranmorgifying gun? Or am I misremembering again? \*\* No, that’s not it, and, since it’s an old work, I’ll give away what Reisinger (who didn’t have an assistant, BTW) found out: When the Hobbes-Calvin (that’s how it’s written on the cover) Report on the Transmorgifying Gun was discovered in 1938, many people assumed that it was a parody on arms dealers, because a large amount of the contents are on the two visiting various weapons dealers, and their conversations with them. It wasn’t until Resinger interview a couple of the surviving dealers that he discovered that the entrees, thought to be in parody, were serious. ---
**Author:** ![Digganob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dc4da7/32.png) [@Digganob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digganob)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/983 "2003-11-12T17:30:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frixxxx \* > \*\*My 1920’s death ray needs a new battery, I looked on E-bay and only found 1930 death ray replacement batteries…any one have a link to a 1920’s death ray battery replacement site? \*\* Try looking [HERE](http://www.davesplanet.net/store/) ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/984 "2003-11-12T23:45:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Digganob \* > \*\*Try looking [HERE](http://www.davesplanet.net/store/) \*\* Ok, **Digganob** , you win my vote for the _coolest_ link in the thread. Welcome to the Boards, BTW. You’ll obviously fit in quite well here. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/985 "2003-11-13T13:37:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*Hmm. I sit corrected. > > So the notes at first appear to be serious. Analysis will reveal satirical commentar. Further analysis reveals actual scientific notes. > \*\* Or, as in the example I giave, the notes look satiric from the start, then turn out to be serious. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/986 "2003-11-13T13:58:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Digganob \* > \*\*Try looking [HERE](http://www.davesplanet.net/store/) \*\* MAn that Duracell is PERFECT for my mini death-ray a couple of quick modifications, and BAM a easy to hide one shot death-ray Tucker was right **Digganob** you rule! ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/987 "2003-11-13T15:08:24Z")
just thought i’d get my name on this thread before you guys all run out of ideas. Digganob - class link man. Sinical ---
**Author:** ![flusyndrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@flusyndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flusyndrome)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/988 "2003-11-13T15:52:29Z")
The last time I heard of this scalar weapon was in 1962 during the cuban missile crisis, when John Kennedy told Krushchev to bug off or he’d have to use some type of 1920’s style death ray weapon. ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/989 "2003-11-13T20:20:31Z")
Did Kennedy actually say that IRL? ---
**Author:** ![flusyndrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@flusyndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flusyndrome)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/990 "2003-11-13T20:34:20Z")
Uhmmmm, I could be wrong, he might’ve said 1930’s style death ray gun. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/991 "2003-11-13T21:44:19Z")
Fair warning: When this baby tops 1,000 posts, I’m locking it down. It was fun while it lasted. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/992 "2003-11-13T22:52:17Z")
Sheez, an MPSIMS thread right here in GQ. I never thought I’d see it. ---
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/993 "2003-11-13T23:29:02Z")
What took you so long? ---
**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:** [November 14, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/994 "2003-11-14T01:33:16Z")
Hmmm well this will have to be typed qucikly before “they” start censoring this information. Is it merely coincidence that now that we are so close to getting at the truth about 1920’s style death rays that the moderator “conveniently” decides to close it? No doubt, the moderator is in league with the New World Order, the Trilateral Commission, the Illuminati, and the Society That Censors the Third Word Ending in “gry”. Okay, just by luck I was able to find out about the Warren G Harding/1920’s style Death Ray Coalition. Harding was our 29th president, elected in the … 1920’s !!! And you may not be aware that Harding died while in office on 8/2/1923. The cirumstances were mysterious but then again - think of the decade - the 1920’s !!! I’ll attempt further research, but as you know “Big Brother” will be shutting this down soon. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/995 "2003-11-14T02:07:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophage \* > \*\*Fair warning: When this baby tops 1,000 posts, I’m locking it down. It was fun while it lasted. > > bibliophage > moderator GQ \*\* I say lock it down at 999 and show the bastards you’re still da man, baby! ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/996 "2003-11-14T04:02:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophage \* > \*\*Fair warning: When this baby tops 1,000 posts, I’m locking it down. It was fun while it lasted. > > bibliophage > moderator GQ \*\* Those Damn Zotti’s Strike again!! As soon as I expose their continued involvement in the death-ray trade they try shut us down!! If they shut down the death-ray thread, I can will promise that we will take to the streets!! You don’t want us to unleash our legions of Flying Telekinetic Monkeys Armed with Various unstoppable death-rays. Death-ray so powerful that one shot charges all other death-rays… Death rays that take out entire cities and we cook over the ashes!! DEATH-RAYS THAT WARP SPACE AND TIME BLASTING VILLAGES BACK TO THE STONE AGE!! DARE YOU UNLEASH OUR HELLISH FURY?? DARE YOU!!! YOU MY GOOD FRIEND ARE GABRIEL, I DEFY YOU TO CLOSE THIS THREAD!! YOU HOLD THE FATE OF HUMANITY IN YOUR HANDS!! And remember, my monkeys know where you live!! Please don’t close our little thread, its the only thing keeping my grandpa alive. He’s a kindly old despot, and this thread reminds him of his glory days. ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/997 "2003-11-14T04:04:59Z")
Can it at least be made sticky? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/998 "2003-11-14T06:35:17Z")
I’ve been rereading Henry Miller’s _ **Crazy Cock** _ and it in he recounts the time that he briefly worked for Electolux (or as he refers to them in the novel: Electosux) during the 1920s. He bounced around alot in in their manufacturing plant. Working in the vacuum cleaner division for a while, and then working in the the death ray division before being transferred to their “intimate massager” (as the company literature puts it) division. Miller is a multilayerial writer. On the surface, his novel is about his frustrations of being trapped in the belly of the beast of the Electrolux corporation while trying to find his voice as a writer and dealing with a half-sane wife who flirted with being a lesbian. Following the keys given in the text, and knowing what I do about his life, I’ve been able to piece together what he was up to. His plan was to combine parts of the “intimate massager” with the death ray to come up with a device which would enable him to “stimulate” women from a distance, thus allowing him the opportunity to seduce women. Given that he was an extremely ugly man, that the 1920s were a time period when America was going through it’s first sexual revolution, and that Miller was able to seduce women pretty much whenever he wanted, I’d say he succeeded. As to the device, what he called it, and whatever happened to it, I’ve no idea. I _do_ know that he had the greatest luck using the device on women who tended to frequent the “Speak Easy’s” of the period. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/999 "2003-11-14T06:37:10Z")
Ah, they’re “1920’s style flapper zappers.” ---
**Author:** ![quicken78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/919ad9/32.png) [@quicken78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quicken78)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/1000 "2003-11-14T09:25:09Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=51)