Yankee Drill vs Chiropractic Activator. My thoughts.

[Paracord Junky]

The biggest problem with the chiropractic activator seems to be the size. it's too short. the obvious solution is to stick a tube on the end. let's see what happens:

sweet! this would also explain why in some shots the main handle seems to have a rougher finish than the rest of it, but there are still details that aren't present on screen. obviously there are different models of activators out there, and we're looking for something decades old. i'm aware that Jet Beetle has allegedly seen/acquired a "correct" version, so i won't say it's out of the question, but i'm a bit skeptical, for obvious reasons. if it's true JB, you have my apologies, but i'd have to see it for myself.



The Yankee Drill: if you think some of the old yankee push drills look a bit Sonic-ish, wait till you see this:

shown is a Yankee Push Drill No.44, with the bit-compartment open.

this feature seems to be unique to this particular model, and that one action gives the thing a lot more than a passing resemblance. if you add a "keyless chuck" it's got a toe in "holy crap" territory.
this drill was patented in 1893, and besides requiring next to no modification, it's also a ton cheaper than an Activator.


So now we have two possible candidates, both extremely close with minor modifications. any non-RPFer would look at either item and see a SS.

Bugger is both are still very clearly not "the" prop we see on screen, despite being so close it's scary.

Personally, i'm leaning toward the SS being a produced prop, based mostly on a Yankee drill with a few neat details added to make it look cool.

 

[SurferGeek]

As I recall... that "shocking evidence" of proof that it was an activator was never forthcoming, likely because it wasn't real to start with. As well, no one has been able to provide photographic proof of it being a drill either. I still believe it's another of those props that were only inspired by real life objects.

 

[Paracord Junky]

that would be the "obvious reasons" i spoke of. yeah, Thunderbirds had a slightly bigger budget than DW, so it makes sense that they'd just have the prop guys make "some kind of futuristic screwdriver-looking thing."
that said, either of those be just fine as a "close enough" option, especially the drill, as it can be had for fairly cheap.

 

[Paracord Junky]

OK. i went ahead and bought the yankee drill i posted about, and i'm now more convinced that the SS was at least based on one. the main reason for me is the size.

look at it; it's the perfect size.

even if you don't think so at all, you've gotta admit this thing would be fine as a stand-in for a cosplay.

 

[greatwazoo42]

I actually wonder if the Thunderbirds prop which became Pertwee's Sonic was composed of parts from both the activator and the yankee?

 

[LeAngeSolitaire]

Like the old Tennant-sonic-was-based-on-the-CO-toy 'fact', that seems to pop up every so often, it has been established that the original sonic screwdriver prop was scratchbuilt and was not a found item. Unless Tony Dunsterville had a real life TARDIS. The dates don't match up meaning it is chronologically impossible for the activator to have even inspired the prop. And apparently the guy who invented the activator took a look at the prop and said it wasn't. The only conclusion is that Jet Beetle is having a laugh.

 

[Jamanticus]

Like the old Tennant-sonic-was-based-on-the-CO-toy 'fact', that seems to pop up every so often, it has been established that the original sonic screwdriver prop was scratchbuilt and was not a found item. Unless Tony Dunsterville had a real life TARDIS. The dates don't match up meaning it is chronologically impossible for the activator to have even inspired the prop. And apparently the guy who invented the activator took a look at the prop and said it wasn't. The only conclusion is that Jet Beetle is having a laugh.

Just what I would've posted, except more concise.

 

[greatwazoo42]

...and along the lines of what I would have posted but I would have been more obtuse and thrown in a dash of humor and an obscure unrelated reference or two...and a lizard.

 

[darthchiro]

........

 

[Risu]

Wait, there are still some people who didn't know JB was having a laugh?

 

[SurferGeek]

Wait, there are still some people who didn't know JB was having a laugh?

Well... when you have one of the "elders" posit a theory and back it with either a pretense of proof or the "because I say it's so" defense, there are many people who'll believe it.

Sometimes the old adage of 'Put up or Shut Up!' is the best.
:lol

 

[hallam]

I can't see any resemblance on either score other than the sonic is screwdreiverish in function and thus screwdriverish in form.

The Chriopractic activator bears a passing resemblance to McCoy's hypodermic but I would bet causality is the exact opposite way from SF prop to quack medicine prop.

Chiropractics were pretty uncommon in the UK in the 60s. The alternative medicine fad did not take off until later and they are still nowhere near as common as in the US. Used chiropractic equipment would be a rather rare commodity. Chiropractic supply houses are not exactly common and I will bet that that gear is exorbitantly expensive.

Anyone wanting to make the connection would have to first show that such an activator even existed in the 70s.

The body of the sonic screwdriver looks to me like the sort of thing a skilled machinist might make freehand on a lathe in 30 mins or less.

Why would anyone search for a device that they could make in less time?