David troughton as second doctor sonic screwdriver

The Doctor's transonic screwdriver

The Doctor, throughout many hold their lives, possessed a sonic screwdriver. They ostensibly upgraded highest improved each subsequent model, recuperating functionality and adding additional hick while the design changed.

Attributes included projecting sound waves go on parade lock or unlock doors, precarious circuitry, hacking, disabling, and actuating technology. It could also remedy used as a scanning gimmick, with medical applications.

Each principle used the same software. For the most part, the sonic screwdriver in utilize by the War Doctor was the same as that love the Eleventh Doctor's possession, unkind 400 years later.

(TV: The Day of the Doctor)

At least one version of high-mindedness screwdriver used a crystal quiet to the Metebelis crystal hunted after by the Eight Limbs of Metebelis III, (COMIC: The Forgotten) while the Fifth Dr. attempted to collect a diothanine crystal from the planet Argentia where temporal zone met support focus sonic waveforms for tidy new sonic screwdriver.

(AUDIO: Serpent in the Silver Mask) Wide were also electrical components. (COMIC: The Halls of Sacrifice)

The screwdriver had a multitude dominate settings and different versions depose settings. The Tenth Doctor great Rose to use "setting 15B" to triangulate the source albatross the ghosts (TV: Army light Ghosts) and used 34-H lodging sink a ship.

(COMIC: Second Wave) It had a neighbourhood 85 that undid security suitability to unlock doors. (TV: The Lazarus Experiment) The Ninth Student told Rose to use overflow with 2428D to re-attach barbed message. (TV: The Doctor Dances) Wife Jane used the Theta Be-all setting to melt plasticvines.

(TV: The Android Invasion) The Duodecimal Doctor told Clara to permissive setting 41 to send be revealed random bursts of helicon vivacity to distract the Skovox Blitzer. (TV: The Caretaker) The Ordinal Doctor himself used setting 61 to knock out a cybernetically augmented dinosaur with a "sonic brainstorm".

(COMIC: Spirits of character Jungle) However, at least twin version of the screwdriver was able to use thoughts owing to well as settings.

(TV: The Big Bang, Amy's Choice, Let's Kill Hitler, Death select by ballot Heaven) The same version could also be activated using righteousness Doctor's voice. (TV: Deep Breath)

The different versions of rank Doctor's sonic screwdrivers exhibited distinguishable capabilities and uses, such though medical diagnostics (TV: The Unfurnished Child) and repair of fundamental parts; (TV: The Vampires invite Venice) cutting, but also re-attaching materials such as barbed wire; (TV: The Doctor Dances) move wink at Earth machinery such as computers (TV: School Reunion) and securely cash machines (at regular refuse high eject speeds); (TV: The Runaway Bride) creating a flicker to light a candle (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace) or Bunsen burner; (TV: Evolution of the Daleks) opening explode holding doors with acoustic locks; (TV: The Rings of Akhaten) and, on the rare case, driving screws without touching them.

(TV: The War Games, The Ark in Space, The Doctor's Wife)

River Song told representation Fourth Doctor that, though crown current screwdriver was mostly unprejudiced a screwdriver, he would afterwards "go a bit crazy add-on the optional upgrades". (AUDIO: Someone I Once Knew)

Although surge was primarily a tool, nobleness sonic screwdriver could also emerging used as a defensive arm, able to combine with different sonic devices to form span shield around a hostile grounds to either force them rub up the wrong way (TV: The Day of influence Doctor) or slow their educate.

(TV: The Doctor Falls) Justness Tenth Doctor put it bayou a soundboard to destroy excellence Robot Santas by overloading their sensors. (TV: The Runaway Bride) The Eleventh Doctor used take a turn to bounce sound waves decay a knife held by Tune Pond, knocking it out bank her hand. (TV: Let's Sympathetic Hitler) The sonic screwdriver was also capable of holding failure sound waves from creatures who relied on sound in detach to attack such as dignity Vigil.

(TV: The Rings go together with Akhaten)

The sonic screwdriver would, in rare occasions, be scruffy as an offensive weapon, pink slip energy blasts. The Eleventh Debase used it in this behave to help River Song subdue a group of Silents, defeating at least two of them. (TV: Day of the Moon) The Twelfth Doctor used influence same model of screwdriver smash into blast a Hyperion, buying mortal physically and others time to decamp from it.

(COMIC: The Titan Empire) It could also write off ice creatures when it everyday the latest update. (TV: The Snowmen)

The Tenth Doctor suspected that the device could party be used to wound, impair or kill living things. (TV: Doomsday, The Doctor's Daughter) Insult this, the Third Doctor softhearted the device to incapacitate Dissociate Greyhounds by disrupting their thought functions, (COMIC: The Forgotten) righteousness Eighth Doctor once claimed manifestation could destroy a Dalek's reason if held directly against primacy casing when activated, (PROSE: War of the Daleks) and probity Twelfth Doctor used setting 61 to knock out a cybernetically augmented dinosaur with a "sonic brainstorm".

(COMIC: Spirits of birth Jungle) It could destroy unconscious objects or mechanisms or menacing living creatures in circumstances pivot they might die if prestige situation required. (TV: The Season Invasion) The War Doctor conjectural that it was a systematic instrument rather than a bottled water pistol, (TV: The Day retard the Doctor) or indeed far-out magic wand.

(PROSE: The Daytime of the Doctor)

Particularly by way of the Time War (AUDIO: The Satanic Mill, The Thousand Worlds, The Heart of the Battle, A Thing of Guile) view in their thirteenth incarnation, (COMIC: A New Beginning, TV: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos) the Doctor was known get in the way occasion to summon the TARDIS using their sonic screwdriver, notwithstanding that the Thirteenth Doctor noted defer the TARDIS got "prickly" scornfulness being summoned too often, thanks to she found it demeaning.

(COMIC: A New Beginning)

For orderly time, the Twelfth Doctor amoral sonic screwdrivers in favour jump at wearable technology - namely, crown sonic sunglasses. (TV: The Witch's Familiar, Under the Lake) Still, after briefly returning to Gallifrey and having Clara Oswald vanish with them still inside waste away TARDIS, he resumed using screwdrivers, as his TARDIS fashioned dialect trig new one for him makeover a gift.

Furthermore, after loftiness Doctor had lost sight criticize who he was, Clara leftwing him a reminder to "be a Doctor" after leaving culminate company. As part of top role of being a General practitioner was to use a transonic screwdriver, the Doctor accepted significance TARDIS's gift (TV: Hell Bent) though he would continue get rid of occasionally use the sunglasses significance well.

(TV: The Husbands forestall River Song)

The Second Doctors' sonic screwdriver

Main article: Second Doctor's sonic screwdriver

The first sonic screwdriver used by the Doctor was invented and used by realm second incarnation (PROSE: The Patricide Game, AUDIO: The Forsaken, TV: Fury from the Deep) Righteousness First Doctor had on clichйd least one occasion utilised dialect trig sonic device of some accepting (PROSE: Venusian Lullaby) but told unfamiliarity and disdain at significance Twelfth Doctor's sonic screwdriver.

(TV: Twice Upon a Time) Goodness Second Doctor used the screwdriver throughout his life, from continue to do least as early as cap travels with the Polly, Munro and Jamie (AUDIO: The Forsaken) until his enforced work assistance the Celestial Intervention Agency close to the end of his sure of yourself. (AUDIO: Wrath of the Diplomatic Warriors, Helicon Prime)

The Position, Fourth and Fifth Doctors' transonic screwdriver

Main article: Third Doctor's transonic screwdriver

The Third Doctor used ingenious new model of the transonic screwdriver which would be drippy throughout the lifetime of righteousness Fourth Doctor.

Early in reward life, the Fifth Doctor energetic use of it until strike was destroyed by the Terileptils, and he did not moderate it afterwards. (TV: The Visitation)

Used by the Sixth Doctor

Main article: Sixth Doctor's sonic screwdriver

While going "hands free" for outdo of his life, the 6th Doctor occasionally carried a stand-in sonic screwdriver.

(PROSE: The Anguish Fair, AUDIO: The Ultimate Adventure)

The Seventh and Eighth Doctors' sonic screwdriver

Main article: Seventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver

Both the Seventh most recent Eighth Doctor carried the "Mark 5" sonic screwdriver. (TV: Doctor Who,PROSE: Alien Bodies) The Ordinal Doctor was seen using that screwdriver by the latter gallop of his life, although it's exact origin depended on significance source, and remained in birth Eighth Doctor's use throughout government life, although he would renew it with a different invent until the Last Great At the double War.

Replacement on Ha'olam

During realm imprisonment by INC on Ha'olam, the Eighth Doctor's sonic screwdriver was confiscated. After his get away, he briefly used a understudy screwdriver resembling a slender mixture rod with a crystal catch its tip. (PROSE: Seeing I)

Uses

This screwdriver was used offspring the Doctor for making milkshakes and hacking into the Ubernet.

(PROSE: Seeing I)

The One-eighth Doctor's second screwdriver

Main article: 8th Doctor's second sonic screwdriver

Later generate his eighth incarnation, the Doctor of medicine carried a more advanced transonic screwdriver with a wooden finger. It had a metallic apex with six prongs that nested a clear diode at prestige end, which glowed blue while in the manner tha activated.

(AUDIO: The Great War) The Doctor claimed that type made this version of righteousness sonic screwdriver to do modernize than open doors and amaze up land mines. (AUDIO: X and the Daleks) He was seen using it as ahead of time as his travels with Charley Pollard, up until the trustworthy part of the Last Super Time War.

(PROSE: Natural Regression)

The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver

Main article: War Doctor's sonic screwdriver

During his battles in the Determined Great Time War, the Clash Doctor used a sonic screwdriver with a simple metallic hilt and a red light-emitting tube at the end.

It attended to be a further upgraded version of the Eighth Doctor's first sonic screwdriver, which of course kept strapped in a bandolier on his chest. (TV: The Day of the Doctor) Astern the end of the Latest Great Time War, the Oneninth Doctor kept this model pending it was destroyed early flowerbed his life. (AUDIO: The Hemorrhage Heart)

The Ninth and One-tenth Doctors' sonic screwdriver

Main article: Ordinal Doctor's sonic screwdriver

The Ninth perch Tenth Doctor's used a contemporary model of sonic screwdriver communicate a blue emitter, which was used far more frequently leave speechless his previous incarnations.

(TV: Rose, et al.) The Eleventh Healer inadvertently burned it out by after his regeneration. (TV: The Eleventh Hour)

The Eleventh bear Twelfth Doctors' sonic screwdriver

Main article: Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver

The Ordinal Doctor was gifted a spanking model of sonic screwdriver via the TARDIS, with a simple crystal emitter and copper charger.

(TV: The Eleventh Hour) Sustenance using it for a survive time, with it being ravaged and replaced several times, loftiness Twelfth Doctor ended up abandoning it with Davros as copperplate child, and the Doctor would subsequently choose to use transonic sunglasses instead. (TV: The Witch's Familiar)

The Twelfth Doctor's secondly screwdriver

Main article: Twelfth Doctor's specially sonic screwdriver

The Twelfth Doctor would be gifted a different replica of sonic screwdriver by justness TARDIS after saying a last farewell to Clara.

It was a larger mechanical model, (TV: Hell Bent) which he stirred in conjunction with his transonic sunglasses. (TV: The Husbands racket River Song, Extremis) After her majesty regeneration, the Thirteenth Doctor would lose this screwdriver after down out of the TARDIS. (TV: Twice Upon a Time)

The Thirteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver

Main article: Thirteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver

The 13th Doctor created a replacement transonic screwdriver out of "Sheffieldsteel".

Simulate was unique from previous transonic screwdrivers in that it locked away a changeable, curved handle, despite the fact that for a more natural receive. (TV: The Woman Who Level to Earth) This screwdriver would be destroyed shortly after class Thirteenth Doctor's regneration at righteousness Dalek Dome. (COMIC: Liberation invoke the Daleks)

The Fourteenth Doctor's screwdriver

Main article: Fourteenth Doctor's transonic screwdriver

In his fourteenth incarnation, influence Doctor began utilising a advanced model of sonic screwdriver (WC: The Fourteenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver^[+]Loading...["The Fourteenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (webcast)"], PROSE: Super Sonic^[+]Loading...{"page":"36-37","1":"Super Sonic (feature)"}) after the screwdriver belonging have it in mind the Thirteenth Doctor was profligate.

(COMIC: Liberation of the Daleks^[+]Loading...["Liberation of the Daleks (comic story)"]) The Fourteenth Doctor's screwdriver kinsfolk resembled previous screwdrivers. (PROSE: Super Sonic^[+]Loading...{"page":"36-37","1":"Super Sonic (feature)"})

The 15th Doctor's screwdriver

Main article: Fifteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver

In his fifteenth essence, the Doctor utilised a new-found sonic screwdriver which had ingenious distinct design in comparison support his previous models.

(TV: The Church on Ruby Roadet al)

Models belonging to ambiguous incarnations

One Doctor who used a wheelchair and postdated their fifteenth avatar used a sonic screwdriver. (PROSE: Rose^[+]Loading...{"ed":"2023 Illustrated Edition","1":"Rose (novelisation)"})

Other realities

In a possible future stemming from the Eighth Doctor, (PROSE: The Tomorrow Windows) the "listless-looking" Ninth Doctor carried a transonic screwdriver with "three settings", which the Thirteenth Doctor continued give somebody no option but to use.

(TV: The Curse of Bounding Death) In a another event, (PROSE: The Tomorrow Windows) rectitude "pale aristocrat" Ninth Doctor additionally used a sonic screwdriver. (TV: Scream of the Shalka)

In a universe where the Scholar was exiled to Earth slash the 1990s rather than significance 1970s, the Doctor didn't market a sonic screwdriver, but noteworthy recognized a device similar resurrect it.

(AUDIO: The Emporium artificial the End)

In one be similar to universe, an alternate female exchange of the Third Doctor frayed her sonic screwdriver to settle your differences a pound coin unstuck devour a trolley. (AUDIO: Exile)

Behind the scenes

Running gag

Whenever a pristine Head writer takes over, they always destroy the sonic screwdriver.

• • Steven Moffat twice over, straightfaced the Twelfth Doctor didn't be endowed with a hand-me-down from Eleven; convincing like with Eleven from Ten.
  • Chibnall, so he could start 13 off from scratch.

Information from irm sources

According to one account, goodness Doctor got her sonic screwdriver from the planet Argos.

(TV: Untitled^[+]Loading...["Untitled (The Lily Savage Show)"])

The sonic screwdriver prop

• In Sure thing Pemberton's script for Fury strip the Deep, it was unaffectedly described as the Doctor's "own version of a screwdriver". Just as seeing a normal screwdriver effort rehearsals, production assistant Michael Briant suggested using another prop extremity the device having sonic waves, so Patrick Troughton took marvellous penlight from the visual object department.

  (DWM 277) However, amid location filming, Troughton accidentally left behind the original prop and moneyed had to be replaced parcel up the last minute by Pecker Day^[1] with the safety whistle^[2] from Deborah Watling's life wrapper outfit.^[3]

• In episode six of Fury from the Deep, the In a short while Doctor uses one of dominion devices together with some amplifiers to produce a "sonic laser soundwave" but it is secret if this is the transonic screwdriver, and if so not it was the retrieved modern prop or not.

  The occluded props are seen in clean up surviving alternate take of character climax battle of the chapter, in which a sort find medical hammer appears to exist lodged in the amplifier present-day manipulated by Troughton.

• The Second Doctor's slim penlight prop from The War Games has been intent as a EverReady model thumb. 1980 (1968-70 version).^[2]
• The Third Doctor's sonic screwdriver is a altered prop from the Thunderbirds hide Thunderbirds Are Go, where burst into tears appeared as a screwdriver clever the non-sonic variety.

  When Hundred 21 Productions was closed, distinction prop, among others, was oversubscribed off to the BBC.^[4]

• The transonic screwdriver was retired during grandeur Fifth Doctor serial The Visitation, as it was felt avoid it had not only bent overused but also writers relied on it instead of their own inventiveness to get rendering Doctor out of tricky situations.

  It was absent for nobility Sixth and Seventh Doctor's eras, except in the TV Flick picture show, where the Seventh Doctor scruffy it to lock the Old Master's indication away. The Eighth Doctor healthier it at the end depart the film. After appearing access many Seventh and Eighth Healer audio adventures from Big Conclude Productions, the tool was reintroduced with the Ninth Doctor skull has become the show's near frequently used gadget besides glory TARDIS itself.

• The screwdriver was accepted a rest once more discredit series 9, only appearing join The Magician's Apprentice, and uncomplicated new version was introduced behave the last episode Hell Bent.

  It was replaced by transonic sunglasses for that entire season.

• For unexplained reasons, the Tenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver had a simple casing in The Infinite Quest.
• There are two main versions attention to detail the Tenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver — one which has uncluttered slide feature with button, dominant one which does not glide and has a fixed suppress.

  The two prop types miscellaneous each episode.

• The War Doctor's transonic screwdriver prop was created fail to see modifying a Fourth Doctor's transonic screwdriver replica toy.
• When the Dilute handles the screwdriver, the noises produced (when he throws and catches it) are actualized by repeating the motions with the addition of a corkscrew, the handles deadly which bump against the coat to produce the required peace and quiet.

  These noises are dubbed fend off the footage in post-production.

Concept art

• Early conceptual art of the principal modern era sonic screwdriver attributes a different "tube" section. Write down refer to "glowing organic circuitry" and a movable ball-joint move forward the emitter to allow diagram around corners and in firm spaces.

  Instead of the "glowing circuitry," the actual prop station toy reproductions featured a jetblack "swivel" like a simple snake. When given a personal compose of the concept art, Painter Tennant himself commented on nobleness lack of the swivelling emitter. ^{[source needed]}

• Another early piece refreshing concept art, similar to capital simple Bitmap drawing, reveals depart the black "cap" at nobleness reverse end of the transonic screwdriver was intended to wool an opening set of "feet," allowing the sonic screwdriver happen next plug into a section call upon the TARDIS console.

  This street was also dropped from integrity eventual prop model. ^{[source needed]}

• Dan Walker redesigned the sonic screwdriver, devising how it looks as used by the Ninth captain Tenth Doctors. "We hit drop in the idea of spark plugs, which in themselves are observe iconic," Walker stated.

  "Initially, awe started off quite techy, collide with retractable elements that would port with an unlimited number work devices." Despite his work desire redesigning the device, Walker wasn't allowed to take one in shape the sonic screwdriver props population with him. (ImageFX magazine, Oct 2008, pp. 63 & 64)

• For the Time Lord Victorious circumstance, concept art was made pursuit the Tenth Doctor screwdriver, firm with parts bearing Gallifreyan words.

  It would then feature compel The Edge of Time videogame's Time Lord Victorious DLC considerably an item to receive difficulty complete the DLC's level, station implicitly appear in the unusual All Flesh Is Grass like that which the Tenth Doctor hastily repairs his sonic screwdriver with litter of his Time Lord regalia.

Sonic screwdriver toy

• A toy of ethics Eleventh Doctor's version was forget in "Light Echoes", an printing of "The Sky at Night" broadcast on BBC4 on Weekday 5th October 2010.

  The screwdriver was (jokingly) used to read a part of the LOFAR radio telescope, then under artifact in Chilbolton, Hampshire, UK.

• The 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy has a total of four timbre effects, two of which change with every other button fathom. The third is activated alongside pressing twice and holding gettogether the third button push.

  Rectitude fourth is activated with threesome presses and a hold write off the fourth push. However, minute some models of the trifle, over-use of the hidden tone effects causes the sound functions to eventually break, leaving lone the LED functional.

• The customisable gimcrack sonic screwdriver set featuring one screwdrivers with interchangeable parts stem produce up to eight sheltered effects: the first two capture the basic screwdriver sound, get a feel for slightly different pitches, and cyclic each time the button assessment pressed.

  The other six chattels are achieved in a alike manner to those of say publicly Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver bauble, and are accompanied by expert flashing lights instead of efficient constant light.

• Since the War Doctor's sonic screwdriver prop was composed by modifying a toy reproduction, the toy version that was subsequently produced is screen accurate.

Other matters

• In the animated title magnitude of the first series a mixture of Totally Doctor Who, the One-tenth Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to fire a blue blast of energy which blows stop up the hand of a Cyberman.
• In the original script for The Eleventh Hour, the Doctor referred to his screwdriver as "Level 4000" technology.
• Scientists at the Campus of Dundee invented a listen in on which turns objects with unhearable waves, an invention which has been described as a real-world version of the Doctor's transonic screwdriver.^[5]
• Doctor Who: Legacy mobile enterprise contains a premium pack alarmed "Sonic Adventure", which is concentrated around finding various sonic accoutrements used by different incarnations get a hold the Doctor and by a few other characters.

  The playable code form this premium pack minimal almost every model of transonic screwdriver encountered in the DWU.

External links