We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Laser Screwdriver?

By John Markley
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 30,493
References
Share

A laser screwdriver is a fictional weapon from the popular science fiction television series Doctor Who. It incorporates multiple means of attack in a single device, though it does not function as an actual screwdriver. It first appeared in the Doctor Who episode “The Sound of Drums,” which had its initial broadcast on 23 June 2007 on the British television channel BBC One.

Able to fire a powerful laser beam capable of killing a human target with a brief burst, the laser screwdriver also has the ability to induce extremely rapid aging in a target, crippling him by advancing him to extreme old age in moments, though this requires the weapon's user to possess information on the genetic code of the intended victim beforehand. The laser screwdriver is equipped with controls that recognize its owner's unique genetic code and will not respond to input from any other user, preventing the weapon from being turned against its owner if someone else were to gain possession of it.

The weapon is a small hand-held device similar in length to an actual screwdriver but several inches thick along its entire length. It is mostly silver-gray and gold in color and has a number of buttons on its surface to activate its various functions. The screwdriver's laser setting produces a visible beam of yellow light and a whining, high-pitched noise when fired.

The laser screwdriver is wielded by a character named the Master, a recurring villain on the Doctor Who series. Like the show's titular hero, the Doctor, the Master is a Time Lord, a powerful time traveler from a superficially human-like but extremely advanced alien species known as the Gallifreyans. Unlike the heroic Doctor, however, the Master seeks to use his superior intellect and technology for the sake of power and conquest, which brings the two into frequent conflict. The laser screwdriver's name is itself a reference to a device used by the Doctor, the sonic screwdriver, though unlike the Master's device the Doctor's sonic screwdriver is used primarily as a tool rather than a weapon and cannot kill living beings.

After its first appearance on the Doctor Who television show during “The Sound of Drums,” the laser screwdriver was also seen in the follow-up episode “Last of the Time Lords.” It later makes an appearance in TARDIS, a computer game based on the series released in 2010. A battery-powered toy version of the device, which lights up and reproduces sound effects from the show, was also produced.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By chivebasil — On Dec 02, 2011

Here is a hypothetical for all the Dr. Who fans out there. Imagine that Dr. Who is face to face with The Master. They each pull out their respective screwdrivers, sonic and laser and fire them directly at one another. The beams hit each other. What happens? Who wins?

By jonrss — On Dec 02, 2011

I dressed up as The Master this year for Halloween and I made sure to have a laser screwdriver hanging at my hip. I actually made one myself using scraps of plastic and some paint and glue.

It was not a perfect copy but it looked pretty good. I got a lot of compliments on the costume. I think I will wear it to the comic con next year. I have been many times but never seen someone dressed as The Master.

By nextcorrea — On Dec 01, 2011

I am a huge Dr. Who fan and I think it would be so cool to have a laser screwdriver. I can remember the first time I saw the episode where it first shows up. I immediately thought "That is so cool, if only it was real."

I have seen replicas that you can buy online but I have never been a big memorabilia guy. I love watching the show but that is about the extent of my fandom. I think the only laser screwdriver I would like to have is one that can actually shoot lasers.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-laser-screwdriver.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.