# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/141 "2003-08-17T16:03:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Unwashed \* > **What’s a _1920s-style death_ anyway?** Poor Ray got left out there. A 1920s-style death ray is a death ray made in the style of a death ray made between 1920 and 1929. Generally Art Deco in design. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/142 "2003-08-17T16:18:31Z")
The 1920s is when the death ray really became reliable. Before that the 1910 models would have freakish backfire’s, and even when they work death was often slow and painful. Some would say this was a bonus, but when you zap that would be hero you don’t want to leave him time to foil your nefarious plot and/or find a way to save himself to foil your nefarious plot another day. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/143 "2003-08-17T16:31:15Z")
The Rochester Death Ray Corporation produces a non-firing replica of the 1910 model deathray noted above by MonkeyMule. It is an edition limited to just 50 production days. It comes with a lucite stand and a numbered certificate. Does anyone know why the old repeat-action death rays never caught on? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/144 "2003-08-17T16:50:16Z")
Hey, it’s Sunday. Can we have a 1920’s style Reth Day? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/145 "2003-08-17T16:57:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by VernWinterbottom \* > \*\*Does anyone know why the old repeat-action death rays never caught on? \*\* Well, the repeat action death rays were great for dispatching large numbers of troops. Small squads could battle entire armies and win. But overlords are always clearly of handing out that much firepower to legions of mindless goons. And rightfully so. A minor uprising on Mars had Ming and Mongo dispatch 12 dozen of unruly henchmen so armed. The rebellion was quelled not with rapid fire death rays, just one really big one. (And lets be honest, when we’re talking about death rays, bigger is better.) That costly lesson was learned well by all would be evil overlords, never give the equip your henchmen too well, or they will start thinking they can take you down and _they_ can rule the world. Another lesson is that you really must consolidate your death dealing weapons or DDW’s. A squad of death rays is cool, and pretty useful. But a giant death ray (like the 1928 Zolstar City Buster MKII) is an essential tool in cowing those world leaders. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/146 "2003-08-17T17:03:21Z")
arrr leary no Clearly, damn stupid spell check. Well stupid me for not paying more atintion ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/147 "2003-08-17T17:04:35Z")
Okay, skeptics…here’s a documentary to check out [Tesla](http://www.imdb.com/Plot?0272884) and remember y’alls president (ol’ gee dubya) claims of the US possessing pulse weapons that would be used in Iraq. IIRC energy is neither created nor destroyed. So, Tesla’s practice shots could be bouncing around looking for a ground. mm-hhm just like the other day, see GW knew what it was, he just blamed it on lightening. If some of Tesla’s “lightening” happened to find it’s way into a worm hole then he could be responsible for many of Earth’s past/future and other planet’s catastrophies. ie: Atlantis sinking/ Mu / Great Flood / polar shifts… See, It’s not so funny now, IS IT? :eek: Need proof, hey look at Tunguska. It was a ricochet off the northern lights from that damned **20’s style death ray** of Tesla’s. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/148 "2003-08-17T18:17:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > **Need proof, hey look at Tunguska. It was a ricochet off the northern lights from that damned 20’s style death ray of Tesla’s.** There see, I knew there was rational explanation. Those freak-job conspiracy theorists have been trying to make us believe it was a comet. _From Outer Space._ Sure. ---
**Author:** ![burntsand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@burntsand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burntsand)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/149 "2003-08-17T20:01:06Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by moriah \* \*\*[Peace. > > My deepest condolences. I was sorry to hear of the death of Ray. \*\* My friend Evan and I were walking down Hatfield when he said “It’s a shame about Ray.” ---
**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 17, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/150 "2003-08-17T20:38:21Z")
Sadly, Edison Scientific is closed. It was a great store for all your science need, mad or otherwise. Their selection of reagents, optics, electrical compponents, and apparatus was marvellous in its own right. But, you could gain entry to their secret warehouse basement by showing your special mad scientist card. Over the years, many diiferent styles of cards were produced. Some were made to look like formal security ID. Others resembled fan club cards. I had the “Kite Commemorative” edition. This celebrated the famous experiment of Ben Franklin. At first, the graphic seems to be a diamond kite centered in a background of storm clouds. Closer inspection reveals that the kite is actually laying on the ground, amidst the still smoldering remains of a scientist felled by lightning. I miss the place. For a time, there was discussion of building a hidden sublevel beneath Franklin Mills mall. This would have been a relatively simple undertaking when constructing a new building. However, Franklin Mills was completed almost twenty years ago. Excavation and construction underneath such a large and public structure would be very difficult and costly to conceal. There were attempts to convince several companies and universities to share the funding and the facility. But, things didn’t work out. If you have proper credentials(in fact an Edison Scientific Mad Scientist card will do), you can _see_ several death rays at the Franklin Institute. Naturally, they have been rendered nonoperational. The plaques and diagrams leave out some details of the rays workings in the interest of public safety and national security. But, it’s still quite an exhibit. Does any one know of place in NYC that sells death rays and the like? On my last trip there, I was determined to buy a 10:i Ether-core transformer and an old fashioned egg cream. To my surprise and sorrow, I found neither. ---
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/151 "2003-08-17T20:38:40Z")
[New Information](http://www.tldm.org/news4/deathraygun.htm) Just In! _“Russia has a Death Ray Gun…”_ Could _they_ have been developing Death Ray’s during the 1920’s? _“Armour has no effect…”_ Could be very similar technology to our technology of the period. _“More frightening than the mind of man has ever imagined”_ But we’ve imagined so _much_ since the 1920’s. _“RUSSIA’S DEATH RAY WEAPON…”_ Oh GOD! It’s true. They DO have it! _“IT COULD SEND CONSECRATED BEAMS OF PARTICLES THROUGH FREE AIR”_ Consecrated? WTF? _“The amazing Bayside Prophecies…”_ Oh no, here we go again… [/]“Directives from Heaven…”\* Oh, lunatics again. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/152 "2003-08-17T20:44:07Z")
And another [breaking story](http://www.gwbush04.com/archives/000121.php). > [@](#): > > US: Saddam has acquired intergalactic death ray > > Controversial “Star Wars” defense shield put on fast track > > WASHINGTON — The President announced today that Saddam Hussein has acquired a gigantic death ray which is currently in low orbit around the Earth. A videotape released by Hussein last week appears to have been broadcast from space, possibly from a rogue Iraqi space station. > > “If you thought that Saddam was scary before, you haven’t seen anything yet,” the President said at the start of a national address. “Check this out… Saddam Hussein has recently acquired a death ray, and it’s pointed right at us, right now.” > > “Saddam could destroy the entire planet in a matter of seconds. But it is important to not panic, to keep going to work, and to continue to shop as usual,” urged the President. ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/153 "2003-08-17T20:47:21Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”. …God, the acoustics here are horrible. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/154 "2003-08-17T20:53:43Z")
Actually, the Russians have [cancelled](http://www.space-frontier.org/Events/Znamya/) their death ray plans. Of course, [speculation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162567&perpage=50&pagenumber=1) exists that they might have [changed their minds.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161140) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/155 "2003-08-17T20:53:44Z")
Doc there are several places that sell deathrays basted on the 1920’s technology. Sadly, you must first prove your loyality to an approved evil overload, and then join the henchmen union before I can tell you. Can’t just let ANYBODY know where our wharehouses are, next thing you know the FBI, JLA and other doo gooders would come in and ruin all the fun ---
**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 17, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/156 "2003-08-17T21:09:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMule \* > \*\*Doc there are several places that sell deathrays basted on the 1920’s technology. Sadly, you must first prove your loyality to an approved evil overload, \*\* I am not evil. Sometimes, I can become overzealous in my pursuit of knowledge. I must hide my work from a public that would not understand. But, I work for good. My efforts and enquiries are for the betterment of humanity. Greece Rome The Ottoman Great Britain No empire is forever. Without the vision and will of the emperor, the kingdom is sundered. Attila Ghengis Khan Hitler Tyranny lasts only until the oppressed become angry enough and desperate enough to rise up and end the tyrant. Pythagoras Archimedes LaVoisier Kelvin Franklin Tesla Here are the real legacies. An average highschool student can tell you Pythagoras’ Theorem. Not many people can tell you who reigned when Pythagoras made his discovery. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/157 "2003-08-17T22:50:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > **I am not evil.** This is not going to help you get a hold of a 1920s style death ray. > [@](#): > > **Sometimes, I can become overzealous in my pursuit of knowledge.** As all Evil Henchmen must be. You are looking for a position in upper management with that attitude 🙂 > [@](#): > > **I must hide my work from a public that would not understand.** Again … upper management. A true #2 is obsessed with his leaders goal, but has a suitable side interest. They must all so fear the people. as well as hate them. however they Must NOT do the following: > [@](#): > > **But, I work for good. My efforts and enquiries are for the betterment of humanity.** Good guys are the enemy. They are the ones that banned death rays in the 1950s. Law and order is the enemy, never forget that. > [@](#): > > \*\*Here are the real legacies. An average high school student can tell you Pythagoras’ Theorem. Not many people can tell you who reigned when Pythagoras made his discovery. \*\* Only because their leaders are weak. The others you listed, Attila the Hun, Gahangis Khan, Alexander the great, these were the overlords of history, imagine what they could have done with 1920s style death rays. ---
**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 17, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/158 "2003-08-17T23:10:40Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”. ---
**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 17, 2003, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/159 "2003-08-17T23:13:08Z")
I want to make this very clear- **I hench for no one!** I am a Mad Scientist. I might collaborate with anothe scientist on a project. I may join councils and committees as and equal member. Put on a uniform and become a nameless, faceless drone for another? Never! Keep my colorful psuedonym, yet become the lackey of a megalomaniac with a ridiculous plan and no grasp of strategy or how to effectively manage employees? No! Nein! Nyet! Did Nemo hench? Did Frankenstein? Did Verne? ---
**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 17, 2003, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/160 "2003-08-17T23:30:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*I want to make this very clear- > > \*\* > > No! Nein! Nyet! > > Did Nemo hench? > > Did Frankenstein? > > Did Verne? \*\* Actually, **DocCathode** , when Doctor Victor Frankenstein was an Evil Grad Student, he _did_ hench. It was a part-time job, & better than delivering pizzas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=9)