What’s a Sonic Screwdriver?

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The sonic screwdriver is a fictional tool in Doctor Who that can perform various functions, but its exact purpose is variable. It has been used since 1968 and has had many designs. Its primary function is similar to a lock pick, but its full capabilities are not explained. The screwdriver is often given limitations to prevent it from solving the story’s problems. The writers of the show acknowledge its ridiculous nature and often make fun of it.

A sonic screwdriver is a fictional object used in the Doctor Who television series. Within the TV show, the exact function of the device is somewhat variable. The device bears very little relation to the tool traditionally thought of as a screwdriver and can perform various functions, including unlocking locks, taking various readings and welding. Of course, a tool that can be used to solve any problem is a major stumbling block to effective story development. Because of this, the screwdriver is often given strange and unusual limitations in order to prevent the device from solving the story.

First introduced in the Doctor Who series in 1968, the sonic screwdriver has been used with variable frequency for many years. It only became a real focal point of Doctor Who when the series was reincarnated in 2005. Although it has been suggested that the Doctor has had a sonic screwdriver since childhood, the device was taken off the show in 1982 and never appeared again. in the original series.

There have been many different designs of the sonic screwdriver through the television series, each with a rather different look. In addition to these many devices, there have also been spin-off devices that perform similar functions, such as the sonic lipstick from Sarah Jane Adventures. Each screwdriver is similar but not quite the same, and some perform improved functions over previous models. The Doctor uses the screwdriver in several ways, but most often these involve pointing the device at the object being operated on.

While the Sonic Screwdriver’s full functions have not been revealed within the series, its primary function appears to be similar to that of a lock pick. It also often provides diagnostic information, although it is not always clear how accurately this information is obtained. Within the new series, the screwdriver was shown to interact multiple times with phones and computers, sometimes reprogramming them to function in different ways. In general, the functionality of the screwdriver is not explained and the term sonic does not directly refer to the jobs performed by the screwdriver.

As a tool in the Doctor’s arsenal, the sonic screwdriver is problematic for the show’s writers. Sometimes, limitations are placed on the screwdriver to prevent the tool from fixing essential texture problems. For example, the screwdriver was noted to not work on wood, which was introduced in “Silence in the Library” to create tension when trying to open a wooden door. The writers of the series acknowledge the somewhat ridiculous nature of this device and often make fun of the tool within the show.




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