View source for Talk:Sonic screwdriver

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==Uses==
I think there should be a list of all of the things that the Doctor has done with the sonic screwdriver, possibly with episode references. --[[User:Jawr256|Jawr256]] 07:04, Jun 5, 2005 (UTC)
: I'm not too sure about that; the list would become far too expansive. It was, after all, in use for about twenty years. --[[User:Jb-adder|JB Adder]] | [[User talk:Jb-adder|Talk]] 06:45, Jun 7, 2005 (UTC)


How off-the-cuff was the Doctor's comment in ''The Doctor Dances'', about 'a long night with a lot of cabinets to put up'? Is there any chance this is the true genesis of the Übertool, or was he simply being facetious? Should we put it in the article? [[User:Radagast|Radagast]] 12:08, Jun 13, 2005 (UTC)

:I'd say it was facetious, myself. --12:18, Jun 13, 2005 (UTC)

::Speaking of this converstation, shouldn't Jack's sonic blaster be mentioned? After all the article mention's Homunculette's sonic monkey-wrench. [[User:GracieLizzie|GracieLizzie]] 13:58, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

== Toy reference ==
In the article it mentions a reference to the actual prop being replaced with a mold of a working pen replica/toy.
Is there any more information on this? It does not mention what manufacturer or anything, as I am in the USA I would not know.
--[[User:Rebootedrock|Rebootedrock]] 03:56, 29 October 2006 (UTC)
== wrong setting ==

I'm sure it's setting 2428-D for re-attaching barbed wire not setting 2482-D. Can someone confirm this?

**It depends on the composite of the material. Harder forms of metal used in later versions of Barbed wire would require a higher setting, where as soft Iron used in the Barbed wire during WWII wouldn't require such a drastic setting, so both a correct. [[User:JamesRandom|James Random]] 10:43, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

==Stealer of Dreams==

''It was still unable to allow the Doctor and Rose out of a locked taxi-cab in ''The Stealers of Dreams''.''
{{tld|spoilers}}
Isn't the reason the sonic screwdriver proves ineffective in this scene that neither it nor the Doctor are actually present, but are the result of Rose going "fiction crazy"? --[[User:Daibhid C|Daibhid C]] 22:32 27 November 2005

:I haven't read it, so I don't know. I assume it to be accurate, but if anyone thinks otherwise, just change it. --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 23:37, 27 November 2005 (UTC)

::The reference has been removed, but for the record Daibhid is right: the "Doctor" in that scene is actually a hallucination Rose is having, which is why his sonic screwdriver has no effect. —[[User:Josiah Rowe|Josiah Rowe]] ([[User talk:Josiah Rowe|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Josiah Rowe|contribs]]) 04:53, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

==Article bloating==
I know I was the one that started listing the functions of the new sonic screwdriver, but on reflection, do we really need to list ''everything''? I don't want the article more crufty than it actually is. On another note, I'll be removing that ''Stealer of Dreams'' reference as per the talk above. --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 08:51, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
:I think it's quite nice to have everything, maybe it should be forked into [[Sonic screwdriver uses]] however.--[[User:TheDoctor10|TheDoctor10]] ([[User talk:TheDoctor10|talk]]|[[Special:Emailuser/TheDoctor10|email]]) 06:38, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

::That would be so fancrufty that it won't survive an AfD, I suspect. The question is whether or not the information is notable and useful, not whether it's "nice". --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 08:00, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

:The article's only a little over two pages long (on my settings, of course) based on several decades' worth of source material, it doesn't seem particularly bloated to me. [[User:Bryan Derksen|Bryan]] 16:40, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

:Sorry Khaosworks, I should have read this before adding my extra bits! I did think it was worth mentioning about distracting the cybermen in Age of Steel though because I'm not sure this is covered by 'deactivating electronics'. I thought what happened was that the SS was used to send out a burst of sound that bounced off the surrounding houses and confused the cybermen into thinking their quarry was escaping. It's not something that has been seen before as far as I'm aware but correct me if I'm wrong? --[[User:86.27.60.124|86.27.60.124]] 17:02, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
::I wasn't sure it really had to be mentioned at all, hence my sneaky "uses include" phrasing so we don't feel the need to put in every little thing. --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 17:26, 30 May 2006 (UTC)

==Romana's screwdriver==
Will check on my own later, but just a query - is the one in City of Death the same as the one she used in Nimon, or is it just a replica of the Doctor's? --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 22:38, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

Same one she used in Nimon, if you look, but its got a different Head on it that's similar to The Doctor's.

== Driving screws? ==

Has the Sonic Screwdriver actually ever been used to drive screws? If not, I'd like someone to charnge the article to say that the SS has never been seen to actually drive screws. (I'd do it myself, but I'd forget to come back)

:Yes, it has. For one, in ''[[Fury from the Deep]]'' (when it first appeared) as well as in ''[[The Ark in Space]]''. --[[User:Khaosworks|khaosworks]] ([[User talk:Khaosworks|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Khaosworks|contribs]]) 02:39, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

::Also used in The War Games for this purpose. [[User:GideonFrost|GideonFrost]] 10:50, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

:::The Ninth Doctor actually mentioned ''having a lot of cabinets to put up'' in The Doctor Dances.

::::Pretty sure it's used for this in <i>Castrovalva</i> - or creating the "zero cabinet", anyway... [[Special:Contributions/87.114.8.197|87.114.8.197]] ([[User talk:87.114.8.197|talk]]) 02:47, 17 June 2009 (UTC)Portreev

:::::It was used for unscrewing the bolts on the Dalekanium on the top of the [[Empire State Building]] in [[Evolution of the Daleks]]. --[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|Sonicdrewdriver]] ([[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]) 08:15, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

== Citation of Pemberton quote ==

Unfortunately, it turns out that my copy of the ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' issue with that Victor Pemberton quote in it (#318) is in storage and inaccessible for the moment.  Could someone who has the issue accessible find out the name of the interview, for the citation?  Thanks. —[[User:Josiah Rowe|Josiah Rowe]] <small>([[User talk:Josiah Rowe|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Josiah Rowe|contribs]])</small> 01:01, 25 March 2006 (UTC)
:Tis done. &mdash;[[User:Whouk|Whouk]] <small>([[User talk:Whouk|talk]])</small> 11:34, 25 March 2006 (UTC)
::I thank you. —[[User:Josiah Rowe|Josiah Rowe]] <small>([[User talk:Josiah Rowe|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Josiah Rowe|contribs]])</small> 16:29, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

== The Answering Machine ==

The article mentions that the Sonic Screwdiver has been used to extract a credit stick from a cash machine on Satellite 5 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Game The Long Game]), but it should also mention that it's used to destroy the answering machine at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Mitchell Adam Mitchell]'s parents' house. --[[User:John R. Sellers|John R. Sellers]] 09:44, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

:The article isn't an exhaustive list, and it is mentioned that it can control other devices, covering both of these uses. I believe the cash machine reference has now also been removed. --[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|Sonicdrewdriver]] ([[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]) 08:19, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

== In the Ninth Doctor Adventures, it was used to cauterise wounds and stop a clockwork mechanism using a borrowed cylindrical power-pack ==

The power-pack was not "borrowed" it actually belonged to the screwdriver in the first place, but had been stolen by The Painted Lady, but was later returned to the Doctor when they joined forces. Good god people, read the book! [[User:JamesRandom|James Random]] 10:31, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

== Another thing ==

It should also be mentioned that the sound the screwdriver makes is dubbed in, although the screwdriver itself does make the noise, it generally can't be picked up by the overhead mics - an example of this can be seen in the ''Idiot's Lantern'' when The Doctor is trying to gain entry to the Warehouse taht the police are using as a secret HQ, when Tennent places the screwdriver back in his jacket pocket - you can see, just for the second, the nib light up where he's caught the button - but no sound is made. [[User:JamesRandom|James Random]] 10:38, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Can someone contribute any light on the claims that writer Terrence Dicks (ref http://users.bestweb.net/~foosie/robot.htm) and actor Patrick Troughton (BBC documentary just prior to the first Bille Piper series, IIRR) also had creative input into the sonic screwdriver? Thank you. (Reader, October 2006.)



== The New Sonic Screwdriver - Not A Cure-All ==
The new sonic screwdriver is actually not a cure-all. In most episodes, the Doctor uses the screwdriver as tool to do rather unimportant things (such as destroying remote controlled christmas trees, or, opening & closing doors), but never as a solution to the episode´s central problem: E.g. in ''Gridlock'' or in ''The Parting of the Ways'', he frantically tries to repair machinery but the actual solutions come from the Face of Boe / Rose. In ''Love & Monsters'', the cane holding the ''Abzorbaloff'' together is broken by Elton, not the Doctor´s screwdriver. Other examples may be found throughout the series. Usually the solutions come either from the Doctor´s companions or the Doctor´s skill or reasoning or confounding the enemy himself.

(such as destroying remote controlled christmas trees, or, opening & closing doors),

I fail to see how destroying an item that was going to kill you or putting a door between you and something that wants to kill you is 'unimportant'.

==List too long==

I have added an "Example farm" tag to the list of uses, as it looks very much like every time The Doctor uses his screwdriver for something slightly different, it gets added to the list.  If it continues, then you will end up with a very long list which potentially could be added to indefinitely.  I suggest that it gets trimmed down significantly. [[User:StephenBuxton|StephenBuxton]] 11:41, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

== It's a "Laser Spanner" not a Sonic Spanner ==

In Smith and Jones, Martha Jones asks the Doctor if he "also has a laser spanner". He replies that he did until Emmeline Pankhurst stole it.

== Deus Ex reference incorrect ==

"The "multitool" from Deus Ex and Deus Ex:Invisible War looks very similar to a screwdriver and is also mostly used to open locks. The difference is that each can only be used once."

This is factually incorrect. The Multitool looks more like a communicator from Star Trek: TOS and is used to override cameras, guns and alarm systems among other things. There is a device called a Lockpick which DOES resemble a sonic screwdriver, but it is a physical lockpick.

As such, I am removing this line from the article.  <small>—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/76.167.136.139|76.167.136.139]] ([[User talk:76.167.136.139|talk]]) 07:48, 21 November 2007 (UTC)</small><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->

== In-story origin ==

I looked up this article because I was curious whether the sonic screwdriver was introduced as a new invention, or as something that the Doctor had merely never mentioned before it was introduced.  The fact that the first Doctor was locked up by his enemies as a matter of course suggests the former, but perhaps he had just left the sonic screwdriver on a shelf in the TARDIS.  Does anyone know if this is hinted at at all?  Or is it left ambiguous?  [[Special:Contributions/75.73.17.57|75.73.17.57]] ([[User talk:75.73.17.57|talk]]) 16:40, 18 January 2008 (UTC)Sergei Alderman

==Series 4 sonic pen==
Re: Sonic Pen reference- isn't some of this conjecture or based on rumour that hasn't yet been confirmed? Also, spoileresque? Mentioning it's been seen and is a pen (that much is obvious from a screen cap) would be fine- but giving more details about the character isn't quite appropriate.. [[User:RubbishBeard|RubbishBeard]] ([[User talk:RubbishBeard|talk]]) 00:31, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
:Good point. I've rewritten the paragraph, omitting character name and other details. If someone wants to say it's Miss Foster, who she is and which episode, it needs a cite. --[[User:Mavarin|Karen]] | [[User talk:Mavarin|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Mavarin|contribs]] 01:29, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

I just happened across an interesting reference to something similar.  In a documentary about the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, there's a period voiceover that says "The turbine engined car of the future has no key.  It will be locked and unlocked by a sonic pencil."  Hmmm....  <span style="font-size: smaller;" class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/50.165.190.31|50.165.190.31]] ([[User talk:50.165.190.31|talk]]) 00:43, 21 July 2013 (UTC)</span><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->

==Torchwood devices==
In keeping with the placement of the "sonic lipstick" and "sonic suitcase", shouldn't the sonic devices in ''[[Torchwood]]'' be placed under "Related devices"? Other than them, the "Doctor Who and related media" section of "Other appearances" seems to focus on spin-off appearances of the actual screwdriver. [[User:Daibhid C|Daibhid C]] ([[User talk:Daibhid C|talk]]) 21:46, 28 March 2008 (UTC)
:Agreed. The various sonic screwdrivers seen in ''Torchwood'' should be included under "Related Devices" rather than "Other Appearances". Or perhaps the ''Sarah Jane'' bit should be moved to "Other Appearances"? Either way, both sections probably need a clean up. [[User:Kelvingreen|Kelvingreen]] ([[User talk:Kelvingreen|talk]]) 22:46, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

==Merchandise links==
The article has several mentions of a company that markets toy versions of the sonic screwdriver. I didn't think Wikipedia was a place for advertising - is the mention of the company (and link to their website) really justified? --[[User:Thoughtcat|Thoughtcat]] ([[User talk:Thoughtcat|talk]]) 19:55, 21 June 2008 (UTC)

== Long Game - Screwdriver/TARDIS. ==

Hey,

It says in the article that the Sonic Screwdriver is used to operate the TARDIS in ''The Long Game.''

I personally can't remember this ever occuring...

Can anyone state when/how/what/where?

Or is is just a misprint ?

Many Thanks.  <small>—Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/86.131.223.152|86.131.223.152]] ([[User talk:86.131.223.152|talk]]) 18:04, 10 July 2008 (UTC)</small><!-- Template:UnsignedIP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->


All evidence merely points toward the sonic screwdriver being able to activate various predefined emergency protocol that include startup, dematerialization and transportation to another location, rather than acting as a remote control itself. [[User:JamesRandom|James Random]] ([[User talk:JamesRandom|talk]]) 20:02, 4 December 2008 (UTC)

:I would agree with 86.131.223.152's comment, but I don't have my copy of ''[[The Long Game]]'' to hand at the moment. I only remember the sonic being used to control the TARDIS in the other two episodes listed in the article. I will endeavour to locate my copy and check whether or not this is accurate and change it. If anybody else has a copy and can confirm this before me, please feel free to update. Thanks. --[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|Sonicdrewdriver]] ([[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]) 09:06, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

::It wasn't used as such in The Long Game...removed the reference. [[User:DonQuixote|DonQuixote]] ([[User talk:DonQuixote|talk]]) 12:43, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

:::Thanks, I thought as such. --[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|Sonicdrewdriver]] ([[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]) 14:34, 30 April 2011 (UTC)

== New image ==

I've rendered 3D models of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th/5th, 9th/10th, and 11th Doctors' screwdrivers and added that to the page, as there seemed to be far too much a focus on the 9th/10th Doctors' screwdrivers in the images and it was getting to look like a Character Options ad almost. I'd do the 7th/8th Doctors' screwdrivers as well but I don't have a good reference (VHS of ''The Enemy Within'' is fuzzy). [[User:Dodger|Dodger]] ([[User talk:Dodger|talk]]) 18:38, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

:Sorry to say but I've just nominated this file (and the picture of the toys) for deletion - see [[Wikipedia:Possibly_unfree_files/2010_July_4#File:Sonic_Screwdrivers.png]] and [[commons:Commons:Deletion requests/File:Sonic Collection.png]] respectively. You could use it as a fair use image, but the screwdrivers do not qualify for the copyright exemption given to utilitarian objects. -''[[User:Mattbuck|mattbuck]]'' <small>([[User talk:Mattbuck|Talk]])</small> 21:02, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

:: And I am disputing this, as I feel you are incorrect. [[User:Dodger|Dodger]] ([[User talk:Dodger|talk]]) 22:35, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

:::That's fine, I welcome discussion, I know I'm not always right. -''[[User:Mattbuck|mattbuck]]'' <small>([[User talk:Mattbuck|Talk]])</small> 23:05, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

:::Fair enough [[User:Dodger|Dodger]] ([[User talk:Dodger|talk]]) 23:42, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

== Craig Ferguson ==

Should we mention Craig Ferguson playing with it on the cold open of the show where he interviewed Matt Smith, and threatening to use it on the balls of the "producers" who didn't get clearance for the use of the Doctor Who theme? :-) --[[User:SarekOfVulcan|SarekOfVulcan]] ([[User talk:SarekOfVulcan|talk]]) 13:28, 15 December 2010 (UTC)

==Classic images==
I'm not entirely clear on the image rules (fair use and such) but would it be possible for someone who is to grab or ask one of the many Who fan sites for comparison shots of the various different Doctor's screwdrivers through the years?«»[[User:Bdve|bd]](<sup>[[User talk:Bdve|speechify]]</sup> <sub>[[Special:Contributions/Bdve|BOLO]]</sub>) 15:24, 9 January 2011 (UTC)

== Lead Too Short Label ==

Since the Lead Too Short label was added in October, the lead has been edited a few times. I think it now summarises the article quite well, and describes the screwdriver and a brief history. Does this tag still apply? If not, what else should be done to satisfy the conditions of a good lead? Any comments/suggestions would be good. --[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|Sonicdrewdriver]] ([[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]) 12:35, 7 June 2011 (UTC)

The lead could be a bit more specific about introduction date and that it was deliberately omitted form the series for a while. Lookijg at the lead just now, I though the lead looked short in relation to the size of the rest of the article (espeically when looking at the TOC). But having looked at the content, it's because there's a fair bit of flannel and trivia in there - and the related devices looks like a load of OR. Essentially the lead is about right now. [[User:GraemeLeggett|GraemeLeggett]] ([[User talk:GraemeLeggett|talk]]) 14:42, 7 June 2011 (UTC)

== History ==
 
I has really been annoying me for sometime that we don't have a formal list of models, so I added little varity notes to each section under history of the difrent types of sonic to not make a drastic change, thought of expanding it or stuff. It's not much, but its a start and I really want to improve it:

1968–1982, 1996

Models/Marks in these years - 4 - the 1st model/mark, seen in seasons 5 - 7 and used by the First Doctor in the Virgin Missing Adventures series and on TV for the first time by the Second Doctor in ''Fury from the Deep'' and shortly by the Third Doctor, the 2nd model/mark seen in seasons 7 - 11 and used by the Third Doctor, the 3rd model/mark seen in seasons 11 - 19 and used by the Fourth and Fifth Doctors until destroyed in ''The Visitation'', and the 4th model/mark, seen in 1996 TV Movie and ued by the Seventh Doctor at the end of his life and by the Eighth Doctor.

2005–2010

Models/Marks in these years - 3 - the 5th model/mark, seen in series 1 - 3, used by the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, and possibly the Eighth Doctor,  the 6th model/mark, seen in series 3 - 5, used by the Tenth Doctor and shortly by the Eleventh Doctor, and the Future model/mark, seen in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead and in future Doctor Who episodes, used by River Song who said the future Doctor uses it and gave it to her.

2010 – Present

Models/Marks in this year - 1 - the 7th model/mark, seen in series 5 - present, used by the Eleventh Doctor.

I made this to help - 
{{Navbox|navbar=off
|name = Sonic Screwdriver Designs
|title= ''[[Doctor Who]]'': [[Sonic Screwdriver]] models/marks
|group1= First Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list1= Used by the [[Second Doctor]], and shortly by the Third{{•}}Seasons 5-7
<!--|list2 = Used-->
|group2= Second Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list2= Used by the [[Third Doctor]]{{•}}Seasons 7-11
|group3= Third Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list3= Used by the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Fifth Doctor]]{{•}}Seasons 11-19
|group4= Fourth Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list4= Used by the end of the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s life and by the [[Eighth Doctor]]{{•}}1996 TV Movie
|group5= Fifth Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list5= Used by the [[Ninth Doctor]] and [[Tenth Doctor]]{{•}}Series 1-3
|group6= Sixth Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list6= Used by the [[Tenth Doctor]] and shortly by the Eleventh{{•}}Series 3-5
|group7= Seventh Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list7= Used and is still used by the [[Eleventh Doctor]]{{•}}Series 5-
|group8= Future Sonic Screwdriver Design
|list8= Used by [[River Song]], who said it was the future Doctor's, and he had given it to her{{•}} Episode [[Forest of the Dead|195A]]/[[Silence in the Library|B]]
}}
- [[User:SammynSophie]] ([[User talk:SammynSophie|talk]]) October 2, 2011

:Thanks for your [[WP:OR|original research]]. However without a [[WP:RS|reliable source]] to verify your information, the inclusion of such material is against Wikipedia policy. And please don't re-add new material until the discussion has been resolved ([[WP:BRD]]).[[User:DonQuixote|DonQuixote]] ([[User talk:DonQuixote|talk]]) 13:37, 2 October 2011 (UTC)

::It all seems a bit incoherent to me, maybe a brief summary of the different models would be warranted but in its current form it detracts from the article. I also don't think lots of templates are needed for minor characters that have appeared about 3 episodes. [[User:Will Bradshaw|Will Bradshaw]] ([[User talk:Will Bradshaw|talk]]) 15:47, 2 October 2011 (UTC)

::: Is it better now, I have a reference - http://www.rdwf.org.uk/sonics.htm 
{{Navbox|navbar=off
|name = Sonic Screwdriver Designs
|title= ''[[Doctor Who]]'': [[Sonic Screwdriver]] Designs
|group1= First Design
|list1= Used by the [[Second Doctor]], and shortly by the Third{{•}}Seasons 5-7
|group2= Second Design
|list2= Used by the [[Third Doctor]]{{•}}Seasons 7-11
|group3= Third Design
|list3= Used by the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Fifth Doctor]]{{•}}Seasons 11-19
|group4= Fourth Design
|list4= Used by the end of the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s life and by the [[Eighth Doctor]]{{•}}1996 TV Movie
|group5= Fifth Design
|list5= Used by the [[Ninth Doctor]] and [[Tenth Doctor]]{{•}}Series 1-3
|group6= Sixth Design
|list6= Used by the [[Tenth Doctor]] and shortly by the Eleventh{{•}}Series 3-5
|group7= Seventh Design
|list7= Used and is still used by the [[Eleventh Doctor]]{{•}}Series 5-
|group8= Future Design
|list8= Used by [[River Song]], who said it was the future Doctor's, and he had given it to her{{•}} Episode [[Forest of the Dead|195A]]/[[Silence in the Library|B]]
}}
[[User:SammynSophie]] ([[User talk:SammynSophie|talk]]) October 2, 2011

::::Please review [[WP:RS]]. [[User:DonQuixote|DonQuixote]] ([[User talk:DonQuixote|talk]]) 03:16, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

== Too many toys! ==
A thought - I got a little irritated browsing this article, with all the information about toys, props and replicas being intermingled with, and in some cases prioritised over, information about its use in the show. As this is of no interest to me as a reader, and as the in-show history will be of no interest for those looking for info on the replicas etc, wouldn't it be a better idea to have dedicated show history and replica sections? [[Special:Contributions/92.23.6.90|92.23.6.90]] ([[User talk:92.23.6.90|talk]]) 16:30, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
: I'll take a look at structuring it in a more coherent/logical manner. <span style='border-bottom:1px solid #09F'>&nbsp;[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|drewmunn]]&nbsp;<span style='border-left:1px solid #09F; border-top:1px solid #09F; border-bottom:1px solid #FFF'>&nbsp;[[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]&nbsp;</span></span> 17:15, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

== sonic screwdriver ==

I don't understand, you said you have not edited the sonic screwdriver page before yet you are undoing things that I have written that can be seen in the TV series. How do we get around this as? There is also incorrect information re Romans Sonic. It was never seen in City of Death as stated. It only appeared once!

Let me know how I can help with pictures, and episode refs please.

Lee

[[Special:Contributions/213.205.240.54|213.205.240.54]] ([[User talk:213.205.240.54|talk]]) 06:47, 16 August 2013 (UTC)

:Hi! Before you contribute, I suggest you read the following pages:
:*[[WP:VERIFY|Verifiability]], specifically the sections on [[WP:ONUS|burden of evidence]] [[WP:SOURCE|reliable sources]].
:*[[WP:NOR|No original research]].
:*[[WP:RS|Identifying reliable sources]], especially [[WP:RS#Definition of a source|definition of a source]] and [[WP:RS#Definition of published|definition of published]].
:*Finally, I suggest you take a look at the [[Template:Cite web|web]], [[Template:Cite episode|episode]], and [[Template:Cite book|book]] citation templates, used to cite such sources in your contributions.
:Hopefully these will help clear up why the content you added previously was not suitable, and how you can improve it. It is also worth noting that the appearance of items as props needs to be sourced from somewhere other than the episode itself; especially where the item has been modified. For this reason, interviews, books, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and similar sources are the best place for you to start when looking to prove such a claim. I hope these help you! <span style='border-bottom:1px solid #09F'>&nbsp;[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|drewmunn]]&nbsp;<span style='border-left:1px solid #09F; border-top:1px solid #09F; border-bottom:1px solid #FFF'>&nbsp;[[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]&nbsp;</span></span> 09:32, 16 August 2013 (UTC)

::Hi there hope you received my message?

::You said you have not edited the sonic screwdriver page before so how can I send you correct information regarding its screen time etc. As u said, it wasn't used regularly by the 2nd Dr. It was only used 3 times, in just 4 episodes. ( Fury, Dominators & War Games). It was only mentioned once in the 3rd Drs 1st series (Silurians) before returning on screen in Colony in Space. As for the descriptions of the props used. These can be seen in official BBC photos, Telesnaps (still photos of on-air transmissions of 1960's episodes commissioned by the BBC) and of course the episodes themselves that are available on DvD. The uses of the Sonic and episode appearances are detailed on the web and have been compiled accurately. Perhaps a link to those pages should be mentioned?

::The other information re the purchase of  Gerry Anderson props is mentioned on a DvD amongst other sources. (Frontier in Space) as well as Matt Irving interviews re the Sonic Screwdriver. What information or links do you retire me to send to you so this can be updates and corrected.

::I look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience. 

::Kind regards

::Lee

::PS as previously mentioned Romana's Sonic screwdriver Did not appear in City of Death. 

::[[Special:Contributions/213.205.240.65|213.205.240.65]] ([[User talk:213.205.240.65|talk]]) 22:43, 16 August 2013 (UTC)

:::I have edited the sonic screwdriver page before (it's one of the ones on my list of favourites to look after; the photo is mine, and my username takes its cues from the page). You did, however, end up on [[User:GSK|GSK]]'s talk page (not sure how), and it was he who stated he has not contributed to this page. The article itself doesn't say how many times, or with what frequency, the Second Doctor used it, so it's not necessary at this time to make any changes to the information there. Also note that audio plays, books, and other potentially canonical adventures exist with the Second Doctor, so on-screen appearances may not be the only time he used the tool. As I stated previously, you cannot use primary sources (the TV episodes, or frames from them) as evidence that a certain item was used as the prop. You ideally need to cite a source such as a behind-the-scenes documentary, book, or production log that notes what the prop was. Without such a source, including what the prop was is classed as [[WP:NOR|original research]], which isn't allowed. Information on the Gerry Anderson prop is more likely to be included, as you've given a source for it above. For the DVD that you mention, I'd ideally need the following:
:::*DVD title
:::*Publisher
:::*Disc or volume number
:::*Location of information (i.e. "Director's commentary", or the name of the special feature)
:::For the interview, if you could provide a link to it (should it be available online), then all the information can be taken from that. If not, I'd need information on where it appeared, when it was published, and other identifying information on the medium and publication. As there is no citation for the Romana remark to conflict with what you've said, I'll remove that now. I hope this helps. <span style='border-bottom:1px solid #09F'>&nbsp;[[User:Sonicdrewdriver|drewmunn]]&nbsp;<span style='border-left:1px solid #09F; border-top:1px solid #09F; border-bottom:1px solid #FFF'>&nbsp;[[User talk:Sonicdrewdriver|talk]]&nbsp;</span></span> 09:24, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

== It's the same one? ==

The lead of this article states:
<blockquote>Throughout the programme, there have been many different versions of the sonic screwdriver, as with subsequent Doctors the design of it was changed. It has also been destroyed on a number of occasions, thus leading to the introduction of the next model. Not all iterations of the Doctor have used the sonic on screen; the Fifth Doctor in fact opted not to replace his after it was destroyed.</blockquote>

However, in "[[The Day of the Doctor]]", it was stated that each successive regeneration of the Doctor – at least, from The War Doctor (Hurt) to the Eleventh Doctor (Smith) – has used the ''same'' sonic screwdriver, just upgraded.  This was a plot point: it would have taken centuries for the sonic screwdriver to complete a task, it was revealed that sonic screwdriver had been working on the calculations commenced with The War Doctor's version which would allow the Eleventh Doctor's version to work.  This is mentioned in the plot summary:
<blockquote>All three Doctors are captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, where the Moment encourages the War Doctor to form an escape plan involving calculations which would take "centuries", but which were begun on the War Doctor's sonic screwdriver and have therefore completed on the Eleventh's screwdriver, four hundred years in its future.</blockquote>

Shouldn't this be mentioned on this article?  <small>—'''[[User:sroc|sroc]]'''&nbsp;[[User talk:sroc|&#x1F4AC;]]</small> 13:32, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Probably not entirely relevant, since the sonic has been destroyed at least twice since War Doctor with the Doctor discarding the old one and continuing with a new one, rather than fixing/upgrading the same device (Screwdriver of Theseus, anyone?). So "same software, different case" isn't entirely accurate. But you could argue that each model (different hardware/case) has the same software loaded onto each device and the TARDIS keeps backups (sonic cloud?). So when the device gets destroyed, the TARDIS makes him a new one with the last backup and so the calculation carries on from where it was last saved.  <small class="autosigned">—&nbsp;Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/62.232.103.35|62.232.103.35]] ([[User talk:62.232.103.35|talk]]) 15:04, 9 December 2015 (UTC)</small><!-- Template:Unsigned IP --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->

== Star Trek ==

The episode [[Assignment Earth]] features a servo weapon wielded by [[Gary Seven]]. It was first broadcast a month or so before the sonic screwdriver was first seen on Doctor Who. Is there a connection? [[Special:Contributions/86.164.38.40|86.164.38.40]] ([[User talk:86.164.38.40|talk]]) 14:32, 3 April 2015 (UTC)

== Not Fictional ==

Actually as of last year (2014), physics researchers from the University of Dundee have been able to create a sonic screwdriver using ultrasonic waves. They have also succeeded in creating a tractor beam, which can pull objects towards the device using negative gradient forces. 

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/235561213_A_Sonic_Screwdriver_Acoustic_Angular_Momentum_Transfer_for_Ultrasonic_Manipulation

[[Special:Contributions/2.126.170.223|2.126.170.223]] ([[User talk:2.126.170.223|talk]]) 19:06, 5 May 2015 (UTC)Joseph

== External links modified ==

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== saving river song's life ? ==

i think this is a strong statement considering her consciousness merely got uploaded in the library's database [[Special:Contributions/92.88.171.20|92.88.171.20]] ([[User talk:92.88.171.20|talk]]) 20:44, 23 January 2023 (UTC)

== “First” Sonic screwdriver… ==

There’s a photo with this article showing the Doctor using a sonic screwdriver in “The War Games”, indicating that it shows the ''first'' version, which is a contention that’s unsupportable on current evidence.
There was a prop made and provided to the production for “Fury from the Deep”, but there is no pictorial reference for what it looked like. It was also not used on screen, as Patrick Troughton accidentally dropped it into the pipe used in production (his hands were very cold), and rather than lose time disassembling the pipe, a white plastic saftey whistle from one of the life-jackets worn by the actors was pressed into service in its place. It’s therefore possible that the whistle should take the title of the first sonic screwdriver. The loss and substitution haave been talked about by those involved in the scene, and it can be seen in a photo from the beach location.
There is another photo of Troughton taken at the pipe location during filming, holding what appears to be an ordinary screwdriver; this *may* have been the prop intended to be the original sonic screwdriver. As the handle is completely obscured by his hand, it isn’t possible to tell if that had been fitted out in any way (buttons or lights, or some other gizmo), to indicate a “futuristic” capacity to the item, which might have settled the matter, but it may be that, after using the sonic screwdriver, a regular, everyday, screwdriver was brought into service as the Doctor poked about in the box he’d opened. Anyway, that screwdriver might also have been intended to be the first “sonic” screwdriver.
No one seems to know if the original prop was recovered from inside the pipe where it fell, nor if it was retained or disposed of, as might have happened with a one-off prop. Therefore it’s not known if the device in “The Dominators” is the one made for “Fury from the Deep”, or a new prop, which might have been the case even if the “Fury” prop still existed and was available, given that it in this story it had to accomodate an add-on piece, which the Doctor adds to convert it into a cutting device (it’s clearly not a whistle!).
It also can’t be guaranteed that the “Dominators” device became the one used in “War Games” (which is a slim pocket torch of the era), so while it may have been intended in-universe that the objects from “Fury” to “War Games” were the same device, there were several changes documented along the way.
There’s a highly detailed history of the Sonic screwdriver props used in Classic Who available [https://www.kasterborous.co.uk/classic-series-sonic-screwdrivers-a-compiled-history/ here]; I don’t know if this is authoratative enough for Wikipedia, so it might require verification, but there is certainly enough to get the ball rolling should anyone care to follow it up. [[User:Jock123|Jock123]] ([[User talk:Jock123|talk]]) 16:06, 6 April 2025 (UTC)