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(Undo revision 1659600 by 24.60.238.149 (talk) not relevant to sonic screwdriver)
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The sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced [[Gallifrey]]an technology. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Heart of TARDIS]]'') The [[First Doctor]] built the first sonic screwdriver (or an innovative model of one) instead of wooing a woman, something he later regretted. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') His [[Ninth Doctor|ninth incarnation]] suggested that the First Doctor did it partially out of boredom. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'') Other alien races had similar devices, such as the [[sonic pen]] used by [[Cofelia|Miss Foster]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime]]'') and the [[sonic blaster]] obtained by Captain [[Jack Harkness]] and [[River Song]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child]]'' / ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'', ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'')
 
The sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced [[Gallifrey]]an technology. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Heart of TARDIS]]'') The [[First Doctor]] built the first sonic screwdriver (or an innovative model of one) instead of wooing a woman, something he later regretted. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') His [[Ninth Doctor|ninth incarnation]] suggested that the First Doctor did it partially out of boredom. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'') Other alien races had similar devices, such as the [[sonic pen]] used by [[Cofelia|Miss Foster]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime]]'') and the [[sonic blaster]] obtained by Captain [[Jack Harkness]] and [[River Song]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child]]'' / ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'', ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'')
   
At least one version of the screwdriver used a [[crystal]] similar to the [[Metebelis crystal]] sought after by the [[Eight Legs]] of [[Metebelis III]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten]]'') There were also electrical components. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Halls of Sacrifice]]'')
+
At least one version of the screwdriver used a [[crystal]] similar to the [[Metebelis crystal]] sought after by the [[Eight Legs]] of [[Metebelis III]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]'') There were also electrical components. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Halls of Sacrifice]]'')
   
 
The screwdriver had a multitude of settings and different versions of settings. The [[Tenth Doctor]] told Rose to use "setting 15B" to triangulate the source of the ghosts ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]'') and used 34-H to sink a ship ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Second Wave]]''). It had a setting 85 that undid security codes to unlock doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment]]'') The [[Ninth Doctor]] told Rose to use setting 2428D to re-attach barbed wire. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'') Sarah Jane used the Theta Omega setting to melt plastic vines. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Android Invasion]]'')
 
The screwdriver had a multitude of settings and different versions of settings. The [[Tenth Doctor]] told Rose to use "setting 15B" to triangulate the source of the ghosts ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]'') and used 34-H to sink a ship ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Second Wave]]''). It had a setting 85 that undid security codes to unlock doors. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lazarus Experiment]]'') The [[Ninth Doctor]] told Rose to use setting 2428D to re-attach barbed wire. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Dances]]'') Sarah Jane used the Theta Omega setting to melt plastic vines. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Android Invasion]]'')
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From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Monsters Inside]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Bizarre Zero]]'') It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') However, it was up to the owner to collect the parts for reassembly.
 
From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Monsters Inside]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Bizarre Zero]]'') It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') However, it was up to the owner to collect the parts for reassembly.
   
Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a [[deadlock seal]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor]]'') To undo one of these seals, the user would need at least two sonic devices. One such instance was when the Tenth Doctor used his own sonic screwdriver in conjunction with Miss Foster's [[sonic pen]] to open the deadlock seals on and within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver alone could not. ''(''[[TV]]'': ''[[Partners in Crime]]'') ''Some or all versions were ineffective against [[wood]], or in the presence of some models of hairdryers. ([[TV]]: [[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'', ''[[Night Terrors]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor]], [[PROSE]]: ''[[Catastrophea (novel)|Catastrophea]]'')'' It ''was'' possible to adjust the settings on the screwdriver in order for it to actually effect a non-electronic lock, as realized by the War Doctor when he was imprisoned in a 16th century cell with the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, but he also realized the calculations required hundreds of years of software computation. Thanks to the Eleventh Doctor possessing a sonic with software approximately 400 years older than the War Doctor's version, the calculations were completed in seconds, though the trio never ultimately discovered if it would have worked, as the door wasn't actually locked. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')''
+
Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a [[deadlock seal]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor]]'') However, Miss Foster's [[sonic pen]] could open the deadlock seals that it was programmed to within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver could not. ([[TV]]: ''[[Partners in Crime]]'') Some or all versions were ineffective against [[wood]], or in the presence of some models of hairdryers. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'', ''[[Night Terrors]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor]], [[PROSE]]: ''[[Catastrophea (novel)|Catastrophea]]'')
   
 
== Variants of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver ==
 
== Variants of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver ==
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* Scanning for alarm systems in [[the Master's TARDIS]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Colony in Space]]'')
 
* Scanning for alarm systems in [[the Master's TARDIS]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Colony in Space]]'')
 
* Remote detection and detonation of [[land mine]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils]]'')
 
* Remote detection and detonation of [[land mine]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils]]'')
  +
* Unlocking a holding cell within a [[Sea Devil]] base. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils]]'')
 
* To open an electronic door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mutants (TV story)|The Mutants]]'')
 
* To open an electronic door. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mutants (TV story)|The Mutants]]'')
 
* Creation of a spark of [[fire]] and igniting [[swamp gas]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')
 
* Creation of a spark of [[fire]] and igniting [[swamp gas]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')
 
* Open electronic locks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')
 
* Open electronic locks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')
 
* As conventional screwdriver, on large, flathead screw. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'')
 
* As conventional screwdriver, on large, flathead screw. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'')
* Overloading the brains of [[Space Greyhound]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten]]'')
+
* Overloading the brains of [[Space Greyhound]]s. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Forgotten (comic story)|The Forgotten]]'')
   
 
=== Refit used by the Third, Fourth and Fifth Doctor ===
 
=== Refit used by the Third, Fourth and Fifth Doctor ===
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=== Used from the end of the Seventh Doctor's life ===
 
=== Used from the end of the Seventh Doctor's life ===
 
[[File:ChangLooksThroughSonic.jpg|thumb|[[Chang Lee]] discovers the sonic screwdriver amongst the things he stole from the [[Seventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')]]
 
[[File:ChangLooksThroughSonic.jpg|thumb|[[Chang Lee]] discovers the sonic screwdriver amongst the things he stole from the [[Seventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')]]
Towards the end of his [[Seventh Doctor|seventh life]], the Doctor fished another type of sonic screwdriver from one of the tool kits in [[the TARDIS]]. This model looked similar to the screwdriver seen at the end of his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]]; it was silver with a brass trim ring in the lower grip. The handle resembled the previous sonic screwdrivers with the upper section being able to collapse in similar fashion as a telescope into itself for ease of carrying. At the top, the emitter has a silver ring with a red bullet shape in the centre. This version remained in the [[Eighth Doctor]]'s use throughout his life. Later, a torch was built into the handle. Once, while suffering from amnesia, the Doctor distracted himself and operated this sonic screwdriver on instinct. {{fact}}
+
Towards the end of his [[Seventh Doctor|seventh life]], the Doctor fished another type of sonic screwdriver from one of the tool kits in [[the TARDIS]]. This model looked similar to the screwdriver seen at the end of his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]]; it was silver with a brass trim ring in the lower grip. The handle resembled the previous sonic screwdrivers with the upper section being able to collapse in similar fashion as a telescope into itself for ease of carrying. At the top, the emitter had a silver ring with a red bullet shape in the centre. This version remained in the [[Eighth Doctor]]'s use throughout his life. Later, a torch was built into the handle. Once, while suffering from amnesia, the Doctor distracted himself and operated this sonic screwdriver on instinct. {{fact}}
   
 
At the end of his life during the [[Last Great Time War]], the Eighth Doctor used a similar model. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
 
At the end of his life during the [[Last Great Time War]], the Eighth Doctor used a similar model. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
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=== After Lucie and Tamsin ===
 
=== After Lucie and Tamsin ===
Later in his [[Eighth Doctor|eighth incarnation]], the Doctor carried a sonic screwdriver with a wooden handle. It had a metallic tip with six prongs that nested a clear diode at the end, which glowed blue when activated. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'') The Doctor claimed that he made this version of the sonic screwdriver to do more than open doors and blow up land mines. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'') It was called a [[pennywhistle]] by [[World War I]] medics. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War]]'')
+
Later in his [[Eighth Doctor|eighth incarnation]], the Doctor carried a sonic screwdriver with a wooden handle. It had a metallic tip with six prongs that nested a clear diode at the end, which glowed blue when activated. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'') The Doctor claimed that he made this version of the sonic screwdriver to do more than open doors and blow up land mines. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'') It was called a [[pennywhistle]] by [[World War I]] medics. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War]]'') Although the Doctor used this screwdriver more frequently later on in his eighth incarnation, he had used this version of the sonic screwdriver as early as his travels with Charley Pollard. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'')
   
 
==== Known uses ====
 
==== Known uses ====
  +
* To locate the TARDIS, but instead opening a [[Vess]] forcefield. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End]]'')
  +
* To hack into the reality orientation controls in a Vess weapons factory. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End]]'')
  +
* Breaking the security lockdown in a Vess facility with the help of the Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End]]'')
  +
* Touching with the Fourth Doctor's sonic screwdriver to release enough temporal energy to force the door to the TARDIS to open. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Light at the End]]'')
 
* Fixing a train track. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'')
 
* Fixing a train track. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Great War (audio story)|The Great War]]'')
  +
* To locate the TARDIS. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fugitives (audio story)|Fugitives]]'')
 
* Trying to shatter the walls of a prison. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Tangled Web (audio story)|Tangled Web]]'')
 
* Trying to shatter the walls of a prison. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Tangled Web (audio story)|Tangled Web]]'')
 
* Detecting a temporal intrusion. ([[AUDIO]]: [[X and the Daleks (audio story)|''X and the Daleks'']])
 
* Detecting a temporal intrusion. ([[AUDIO]]: [[X and the Daleks (audio story)|''X and the Daleks'']])
  +
* Being activated by [[Herbert Goring]], allowing the Doctor to track the screwdriver with the TARDIS. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The White Room (audio story)|The White Room]]'')
  +
* Breaking into the [[Ides Scientific Institute]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'')
  +
* Unlocking a freezer door slowly from the inside. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eyes of the Master (audio story)|Eyes of the Master]]'')
   
 
=== The War Doctor's sonic ===
 
=== The War Doctor's sonic ===
 
[[File:War Doctor sonic.jpg|thumb|The [[War Doctor]]'s sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')]]
 
[[File:War Doctor sonic.jpg|thumb|The [[War Doctor]]'s sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')]]
At the end of the [[War Doctor]]'s life, the Doctor used a sonic screwdriver with a simple metallic handle and a red diode at the end. It appeared to be a further upgraded version of the Eighth Doctor's sonic screwdriver adapted for battle. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') When the War Doctor [[regeneration|regenerated]], the Doctor discontinued his use of this model.
+
At the end of the [[War Doctor]]'s life, the Doctor used a sonic screwdriver with a simple metallic handle and a red diode at the end. It appeared to be a further upgraded version of the Eighth Doctor's sonic screwdriver adapted for battle. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
   
 
==== Known uses ====
 
==== Known uses ====
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* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Creating a force field with two other screwdrivers to force back an attacking Time War Dalek. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Creating a force field with two other screwdrivers to force back an attacking Time War Dalek. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* Continuing a centuries-long calculation that would be used to move [[Gallifrey]] into a pocket universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
+
* Continuing a centuries-long calculation that would be used to move [[Gallifrey]] into a pocket universe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
   
 
=== The Ninth and Tenth Doctor's sonic ===
 
=== The Ninth and Tenth Doctor's sonic ===
[[File:F6VHJMNGFRWQPAM.LARGE.jpg|thumb|The Ninth and Tenth Doctor's screwdriver ([[TV]]: ''[[Doomsday]]'')]]
 
 
The Doctor had yet another screwdriver during his eighth incarnation. This one had a glowing blue diode at one end. Although the Eighth Doctor was known to have used it as well, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Osskah]]'') this model was much more ubiquitous as the model carried by the [[Ninth Doctor]], who used it far less frequently like his previous incarnations had done before. The [[Tenth Doctor]] also used this model, as he liked tinkering with technology to make devices he needed. This version was burnt out by accident after the Doctor used it to modify an [[X-ray]] output to over 5000%, but had replaced it with a near-identical model. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'') The only visible difference was the colour scheme of the handle. The tenth incarnation had this screwdriver on his person during his [[regeneration]], and was damaged repeatedly afterwards, which led to malfunctions. Despite the damage, the [[Eleventh Doctor]] used it to overload technology in an attempt to alert the Atraxi to Prisoner Zero's location. This fried it into useless, charred metal, much to his growing annoyance and anger. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'')
 
The Doctor had yet another screwdriver during his eighth incarnation. This one had a glowing blue diode at one end. Although the Eighth Doctor was known to have used it as well, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Osskah]]'') this model was much more ubiquitous as the model carried by the [[Ninth Doctor]], who used it far less frequently like his previous incarnations had done before. The [[Tenth Doctor]] also used this model, as he liked tinkering with technology to make devices he needed. This version was burnt out by accident after the Doctor used it to modify an [[X-ray]] output to over 5000%, but had replaced it with a near-identical model. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'') The only visible difference was the colour scheme of the handle. The tenth incarnation had this screwdriver on his person during his [[regeneration]], and was damaged repeatedly afterwards, which led to malfunctions. Despite the damage, the [[Eleventh Doctor]] used it to overload technology in an attempt to alert the Atraxi to Prisoner Zero's location. This fried it into useless, charred metal, much to his growing annoyance and anger. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'')
   
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* Obtaining money from a cash machine. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
 
* Obtaining money from a cash machine. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
 
* Opening off a panel to [[Satellite Five|Satellite Five's]] mainframe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
 
* Opening off a panel to [[Satellite Five|Satellite Five's]] mainframe. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
* Getting money from a cash machine, at both regular and extra-high rates of ejection. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'')
+
* Calling immediately a number in a phone box without the need of pressing number buttons.([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'')
  +
* Getting money from a cash machine, at both regular and extra-high rates of ejection. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'')
 
* Obtaining access to Satellite Five's core computer. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
 
* Obtaining access to Satellite Five's core computer. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game]]'')
* Charging from a battery. ([[TV]]: ''[[Father's Day]]'')
+
* Charging from a battery. ([[TV]]: ''[[Father's Day (TV story)|Father's Day]]'')
 
* Reversing teleport devices. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town]]'')
 
* Reversing teleport devices. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town]]'')
 
* Destroying a television camera. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'')
 
* Destroying a television camera. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'')
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* Unsuccessfully trying to bypass the Sontarans' control of the [[ATMOS]], forcing the Doctor to use reverse-psychology with the machine to avoid drowning. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'')
 
* Unsuccessfully trying to bypass the Sontarans' control of the [[ATMOS]], forcing the Doctor to use reverse-psychology with the machine to avoid drowning. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'')
 
* Changing the destination of a Sontaran teleport. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
 
* Changing the destination of a Sontaran teleport. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
  +
* Opening a broadcast channel on a Sontaran ship in order to communicate ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
 
* Changing the "channel" on a broadcast when the [[Sontaran]]s began chanting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
 
* Changing the "channel" on a broadcast when the [[Sontaran]]s began chanting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
 
* Building a terraforming device to ignite the posionous clouds. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
 
* Building a terraforming device to ignite the posionous clouds. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
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After the loss of the sonic screwdriver, the TARDIS gifted the Doctor with this new model. Differing radically from the last due to having "claws" and a green diode, rather than blue, it also had copper plating similar to the control room which had built itself following the TARDIS' crash landing in Leadworth. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'') A psychic interface allowed its user to point it at a target and think of the function they wanted, instead of "settings"; however, it may have been a secondary way of using it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'') Having been mentioned to be more than sonic, ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'') this screwdriver also shot beams of green energy. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
 
After the loss of the sonic screwdriver, the TARDIS gifted the Doctor with this new model. Differing radically from the last due to having "claws" and a green diode, rather than blue, it also had copper plating similar to the control room which had built itself following the TARDIS' crash landing in Leadworth. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'') A psychic interface allowed its user to point it at a target and think of the function they wanted, instead of "settings"; however, it may have been a secondary way of using it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'') Having been mentioned to be more than sonic, ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'') this screwdriver also shot beams of green energy. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'', ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
   
Retaining ineffectiveness against [[wood]], it also didn't work against [[Peg Doll]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors (TV story)|Night Terrors]]'') or the [[Wooden King]] and [[Wooden Queen|Queen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') The Doctor considered it embarassing and that "I need to invent a setting for wood." ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'') In similar situations, he yelled at it in panic; "Aliens made of wood, you know this was always going to happen!", "Yes, I know it's wood. Get over it!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') Oddly, he defended once, "Oi! Don't diss the sonic!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'') At some point it had an anti-freeze setting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
+
Retaining ineffectiveness against [[wood]], it also didn't work against [[Peg Doll]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors (TV story)|Night Terrors]]'') or the [[Wooden King]] and [[Wooden Queen|Queen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') The Doctor considered it embarassing and that "I need to invent a setting for wood." ([[TV]]: ''[[Night Terrors]]'') In similar situations, he yelled at it in panic; "Aliens made of wood, you know this was always going to happen!", "Yes, I know it's wood. Get over it!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'') Though aware of this flaw, he was still able to successfully bluff a [[Wooden Cyberman]] into destroying itself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'') Oddly, he defended once, "Oi! Don't diss the sonic!" ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'') At some point it had an anti-freeze setting. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
   
 
It was destroyed and replaced repeatedly: bitten in half by a [[sky shark]] and left behind, ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') given to the [[Ganger Doctor]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh]]'') or simply fried out from over usage. In the latter instance, a replacement was given to him by [[Santa Claus]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Silent Knight (comic story)|Silent Knight]]'')
 
It was destroyed and replaced repeatedly: bitten in half by a [[sky shark]] and left behind, ([[TV]]: ''[[A Christmas Carol (TV story)|A Christmas Carol]]'') given to the [[Ganger Doctor]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh]]'') or simply fried out from over usage. In the latter instance, a replacement was given to him by [[Santa Claus]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Silent Knight (comic story)|Silent Knight]]'')
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* Unlocking the door of an aeroplane's cockpit. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
 
* Unlocking the door of an aeroplane's cockpit. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
 
* Opening the secret entrance to the Doctor's tomb. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Opening the secret entrance to the Doctor's tomb. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
* Disabling a Sontaran invisibility field to leave two Sontarans invading the town of [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]] defenseless against the [[Papal Mainframe]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
+
* Disabling a Sontaran invisibility field to leave two Sontarans invading the town of [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]] defenceless against the [[Papal Mainframe]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
   
 
===== Medical =====
 
===== Medical =====
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* Scanning the Doctor's time stream. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Scanning the Doctor's time stream. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Detecting the progress of the War Doctor's calculation in his iteration of the sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Detecting the progress of the War Doctor's calculation in his iteration of the sonic screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
  +
* A heat censor to discover the hiding place of the [[Mara]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Dreaming (short story)|The Dreaming]]'')
   
 
===== Technology =====
 
===== Technology =====
 
* Isolating the lighting so that the [[Weeping Angel]]s could not drain the power. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Isolating the lighting so that the [[Weeping Angel]]s could not drain the power. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Redirecting all the power to the doors in order to open them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Redirecting all the power to the doors in order to open them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Uploading proximity-alerting software to Amy's communicator. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Detecting the location of lights. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
 
* Detecting the location of lights. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
 
* Exploding lightbulbs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
 
* Exploding lightbulbs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Amy's Choice]]'')
 
* Hacking into computer records. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
 
* Hacking into computer records. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
 
* Activating bio-programmed soil. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
 
* Activating bio-programmed soil. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'')
 
* Disabling [[Silurian]] weapons. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'')
 
* Accessing the [[Visualiser]] eye and repowering it. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
 
* Accessing the [[Visualiser]] eye and repowering it. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
 
* Tampering with the [[Dalek Emperor]]'s casing. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
 
* Tampering with the [[Dalek Emperor]]'s casing. ([[GAME]]: ''[[City of the Daleks (video game)|City of the Daleks]]'')
Line 420: Line 433:
 
* Activating emergency light switches. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
 
* Activating emergency light switches. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
 
* Turning on the lights inside a generator. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
 
* Turning on the lights inside a generator. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
 
* Setting the TARDIS on its "adventure setting". ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
 
* Unsuccessfully attempting to free [[Sophie (The Lodger)|Sophie]]'s hand from the time ship console. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
 
* Unsuccessfully attempting to free [[Sophie (The Lodger)|Sophie]]'s hand from the time ship console. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
 
* Changing a [[hologram]] between its different forms. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
 
* Changing a [[hologram]] between its different forms. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'')
 
* To send a signal through to [[Amy Pond|Amy]]'s communicator to help guide her through a forest. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* To send a signal through to [[Amy Pond|Amy]]'s communicator to help guide her through a forest. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
* Uploading proximity-alerting software to Amy's communicator. ([[TV]]: ''[[Flesh and Stone]]'')
 
* Disabling [[Silurian]] weapons. ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'')
 
 
* Scrambling a Cyberarm's circuits. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
 
* Scrambling a Cyberarm's circuits. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
 
* Giving orders to androids. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The War of Art (WEB short story)|The War of Art]]'')
 
* Giving orders to androids. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The War of Art (WEB short story)|The War of Art]]'')
Line 443: Line 455:
 
* Freezing the ''Teselecta'' in place; this caused sparks to fly inside of it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
 
* Freezing the ''Teselecta'' in place; this caused sparks to fly inside of it. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of River Song]]'')
 
* Used to help with rewiring the TARDIS; he told Lilly it was because the light in his "wardrobe" wasn't working, claiming it was the reason he dressed as he did. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'')
 
* Used to help with rewiring the TARDIS; he told Lilly it was because the light in his "wardrobe" wasn't working, claiming it was the reason he dressed as he did. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'')
* Setting the TARDIS on its "adventure setting". ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
 
* Reversing a [[friction amper]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]] '')
 
 
* Deleting an answering machine message from the phone the message was made from. ([[WC]]: ''[[Pond Life (webcast)|Pond Life]]'')
 
* Deleting an answering machine message from the phone the message was made from. ([[WC]]: ''[[Pond Life (webcast)|Pond Life]]'')
 
* Activating the reverse in a badly damaged, insane Dalek's casing to send it into other insane Daleks (as it was going to self-destruct). ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks]]'')
 
* Activating the reverse in a badly damaged, insane Dalek's casing to send it into other insane Daleks (as it was going to self-destruct). ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks]]'')
Line 450: Line 460:
 
* Disabling the [[android]] the [[Shakri]] put on [[Earth]] to control the [[cube]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
 
* Disabling the [[android]] the [[Shakri]] put on [[Earth]] to control the [[cube]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
 
* Reversing the Shakri's programming of the cubes to jump-start the hearts of the humans they previously stopped. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
 
* Reversing the Shakri's programming of the cubes to jump-start the hearts of the humans they previously stopped. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three]]'')
 
* Reversing a [[friction amper]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]] '')
 
* Overloading a lightbulb, creating a blinding light, to act as a distraction to escape the Angels. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]]'')
 
* Overloading a lightbulb, creating a blinding light, to act as a distraction to escape the Angels. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels Take Manhattan]]'')
 
* Getting rid of the shield that was blocking the Ice Governess and putting a new one behind the Doctor and Clara ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
 
* Getting rid of the shield that was blocking the Ice Governess and putting a new one behind the Doctor and Clara ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
Line 456: Line 467:
 
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Activating the memory-erasing device in the [[Black Archive]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Making the bell tower ring in [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]] to warn his enemies they would be attacking the planet [[Trenzalore]] at their own risk. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Making the bell tower ring in [[Christmas (town)|Christmas]] to warn his enemies they would be attacking the planet [[Trenzalore]] at their own risk. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Bluffing a [[wooden Cyberman]] that he sent a signal to its flamethrower weapon so it would reverse its direction as soon as it tried to release fire. Though a [[truth field]] was active, the Cyberman was not told the screwdriver couldn't affect wood. It pointed its weapon backwards, thinking it would reset, and killed itself by accident. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
+
* Bluffing a [[wooden Cyberman]] that he sent a signal to its flamethrower weapon so it would reverse its direction as soon as it tried to release fire. Though a [[Truth Field]] was active, the Cyberman was not told the screwdriver couldn't affect wood. It pointed its weapon backwards, thinking it would reset, and killed itself by accident. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
   
 
===== Amplification =====
 
===== Amplification =====
Line 476: Line 487:
 
* Distracting Cybermats. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
 
* Distracting Cybermats. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
 
* Heating [[water]] and ice. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
 
* Heating [[water]] and ice. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')
 
* Destroying a [[Weeping Angel]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
 
* Lighting flaming torches. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
 
* Lighting flaming torches. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
 
* Heating up a [[tea]]pot. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Snowfall]]'')
 
* Heating up a [[tea]]pot. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Snowfall]]'')
Line 484: Line 496:
 
* Disarming [[River Song|Melody Pond]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
 
* Disarming [[River Song|Melody Pond]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Let's Kill Hitler]]'')
 
* Igniting a cannon. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The Gunpowder Plot]]'')
 
* Igniting a cannon. ([[GAME]]: ''[[The Gunpowder Plot]]'')
* Destroying a [[Weeping Angel]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Good as Gold (TV story)|Good as Gold]]'')
 
 
* Destroying the [[Star of Solitude]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]]'')
 
* Destroying the [[Star of Solitude]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Cornucopia Caper (comic story)|The Cornucopia Caper]]'')
 
* Holding a heavy door with an acoustic lock open in the [[pyramid]] of the rings of [[Akhaten]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'')
 
* Holding a heavy door with an acoustic lock open in the [[pyramid]] of the rings of [[Akhaten]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'')
Line 494: Line 505:
 
* Combining power with the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[War Doctor|War Doctor's]] sonic screwdrivers to create a sonic force to blast back an attacking [[Dalek]] in the [[Time War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Combining power with the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[War Doctor|War Doctor's]] sonic screwdrivers to create a sonic force to blast back an attacking [[Dalek]] in the [[Time War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Used for centuries as a weapon against his greatest enemies during the [[Siege of Trenzalore]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
 
* Used for centuries as a weapon against his greatest enemies during the [[Siege of Trenzalore]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
  +
* Adapted with bits of alien technology the Doctor had collected over the years and was used as a way to fly which the Doctor referred to as his "whirligig." ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Dreaming (short story)|The Dreaming]]'')
   
 
=== River's screwdriver ===
 
=== River's screwdriver ===
 
[[File:Everybody lives? - Doctor Who - BBC|thumb|The [[Tenth Doctor]] figures out the true purpose of River's screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')]]
 
[[File:Everybody lives? - Doctor Who - BBC|thumb|The [[Tenth Doctor]] figures out the true purpose of River's screwdriver. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'')]]
[[The Doctor]] created another screwdriver before [[River Song]]'s final date with him at the [[Darillium]] [[Singing Towers]]. This version of the sonic screwdriver had the settings of the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s model when he met her at [[the Library]] along with "dampers" and a "red setting" that allowed it to work without interference from [[Doctor Moon]]. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in [[the Library]]. Unknown to her, this version included a [[Data Chip|Neural Relay]] which would save her [[data ghost]] for uploading into [[Charlotte Lux|the main computer]] of the Library. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'')
+
[[The Doctor]] created another screwdriver before [[River Song]]'s final date with him at the [[Darillium]] [[Singing Towers]]. This version of the sonic screwdriver had the settings of the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s model when he met her at [[the Library]] along with "dampers" and a "red setting" that allowed it to work without interference from [[Doctor Moon]]. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in [[the Library]]. Unknown to her, this version included a [[neural relay]] which would save her [[data ghost]] for uploading into [[Charlotte Lux|the main computer]] of the Library. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silence in the Library]]'' / ''[[Forest of the Dead]]'')
   
 
==== Known uses ====
 
==== Known uses ====
Line 553: Line 565:
 
* A toy of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s version was seen in "Light Echoes", an edition of [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk7h "The Sky at Night"] broadcast on [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc4 BBC4] on Wednesday 5th October 2010. The screwdriver was (jokingly) used to scan a part of the [http://www.lofar.org.uk LOFAR] radio telescope, then under construction in Chilbolton, Hampshire, UK.
 
* A toy of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s version was seen in "Light Echoes", an edition of [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk7h "The Sky at Night"] broadcast on [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc4 BBC4] on Wednesday 5th October 2010. The screwdriver was (jokingly) used to scan a part of the [http://www.lofar.org.uk LOFAR] radio telescope, then under construction in Chilbolton, Hampshire, UK.
 
* The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy has a total of four sound effects, two of which alternate with every other button press. The third is activated by pressing twice and holding on the third button push. The fourth is activated with three presses and a hold on the fourth push. However, in some models of the toy, over-use of the hidden sound effects causes the sound functions to eventually break, leaving only the LED functional.
 
* The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy has a total of four sound effects, two of which alternate with every other button press. The third is activated by pressing twice and holding on the third button push. The fourth is activated with three presses and a hold on the fourth push. However, in some models of the toy, over-use of the hidden sound effects causes the sound functions to eventually break, leaving only the LED functional.
* A customizeable toy sonic screwdriver set featuring three screwdrivers with interchangeable parts can produce up to eight sound effects: the first two are the basic screwdriver sound, with slightly different pitches, and alternate each time the button is pressed. The other six effects are achieved in a similar manner to the Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy, and are accompanied by a flashing lights instead of a constant light.
+
* A customiseable toy sonic screwdriver set featuring three screwdrivers with interchangeable parts can produce up to eight sound effects: the first two are the basic screwdriver sound, with slightly different pitches, and alternate each time the button is pressed. The other six effects are achieved in a similar manner to the Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy, and are accompanied by a flashing lights instead of a constant light.
   
 
=== ''The Visual Dictionary'' ===
 
=== ''The Visual Dictionary'' ===

Revision as of 19:13, 7 April 2014

This article needs to be updated.

Thread:133842 establishes there's some inconsistency among the writers, but there is nonetheless a sonic in the Doctor's possession by the time of his travels with Benny in the NAs.

These omissions are so great that the article's factual accuracy has been compromised. Check out the discussion page and revision history for further clues about what needs to be updated in this article.

The sonic screwdriver — often called the sonic — was a highly versatile tool used by many, but not all, incarnations of the Doctor. The Doctor modified and ostensibly upgraded it over the years, giving it an increasing number of applications. Early versions were used mainly for the picking of locks and for projecting sound so as to, for example, detonate bombs. By the time of the Ninth Doctor, the sonic was able to also be used as a sophisticated scanning device, with medical applications. Subsequent incarnations gave it even wider functionality, such as the ability to hack into computers, provide geolocation and actively defend against some types of assault weapon.

All of these incarnations utilised the same software, though they used different cases. For all intents and purposes, the War Doctor's sonic was the same as the Eleventh Doctor's some 400 years later. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)

Technology and functions

The sonic screwdriver was considered to be very advanced Gallifreyan technology. (PROSE: Heart of TARDIS) The First Doctor built the first sonic screwdriver (or an innovative model of one) instead of wooing a woman, something he later regretted. (TV: A Christmas Carol) His ninth incarnation suggested that the First Doctor did it partially out of boredom. (TV: The Doctor Dances) Other alien races had similar devices, such as the sonic pen used by Miss Foster (TV: Partners in Crime) and the sonic blaster obtained by Captain Jack Harkness and River Song. (TV: The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances, Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead)

At least one version of the screwdriver used a crystal similar to the Metebelis crystal sought after by the Eight Legs of Metebelis III. (COMIC: The Forgotten) There were also electrical components. (COMIC: The Halls of Sacrifice)

The screwdriver had a multitude of settings and different versions of settings. The Tenth Doctor told Rose to use "setting 15B" to triangulate the source of the ghosts (TV: Army of Ghosts) and used 34-H to sink a ship (COMIC: Second Wave). It had a setting 85 that undid security codes to unlock doors. (TV: The Lazarus Experiment) The Ninth Doctor told Rose to use setting 2428D to re-attach barbed wire. (TV: The Doctor Dances) Sarah Jane used the Theta Omega setting to melt plastic vines. (TV: The Android Invasion)

The different versions of the Doctor's sonic screwdrivers exhibited different capabilities and uses, such as the interception of signals ranging from transmat beams to conscious thought; (TV: The End of the World) medical diagnostics and repair of organic parts; (TV: The Empty Child, The Vampires of Venice) cutting, but also re-attaching materials such as barbed wire; (TV: The Doctor Dances) operating Earth machinery such as computers and even cash machines (at regular and high eject speeds); (TV: School Reunion, The Runaway Bride) creating a spark to light a candle or Bunsen burner; (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace, Evolution of the Daleks) opening and holding doors with acoustic locks; (TV: The Rings of Akhaten) and, on the rare occasion, driving screws without touching them. (TV: The War Games, The Ark in Space, The Doctor's Wife)

Although it was primarily a tool, the sonic screwdriver could also be used as a defensive weapon. The Tenth Doctor put it in a sound board to destroy the Robot Santas by overloading their sensors. (TV: The Runaway Bride) The Eleventh Doctor used it to bounce sound waves off a knife held by Melody Pond, knocking it out of her hand. (TV: Let's Kill Hitler) The sonic screwdriver was also capable of holding off sound waves from creatures who relied on sound in order to attack such as the Vigil. (TV: The Rings of Akhaten) The Doctor also used it to try and help River Song defeat a group of Silents although River teased him by saying it would be better if he used it to "build a cabinet". However, the Doctor implied that although it couldn't actually hurt the Silents it could weaken the power of their electricity, therefore allowing him to provide River with a certain degree of protection while she shot down their foes. (TV: Day of the Moon)

Although the Eighth Doctor once claimed the device could destroy a Dalek's brain if held directly against the casing when activated, (PROSE: War of the Daleks) according to the Tenth Doctor, the device could not be used to wound, maim or kill living things. (TV: Doomsday, The Doctor's Daughter) It could destroy non-living objects or mechanisms or place living creatures in circumstances where they might die, if the situation required. (TV: The End of the World, The Christmas Invasion) The War Doctor claimed that it was a scientific instrument rather than a water pistol. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)

From time to time, the sonic screwdriver needed to be recharged. (TV: Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead, PROSE: The Monsters Inside, COMIC: Bizarre Zero) It was self-repairing and could send out a homing signal to any parts that had been separated. (TV: A Christmas Carol) However, it was up to the owner to collect the parts for reassembly.

Sonic screwdrivers and similar technology could not unlock a deadlock seal. (TV: School Reunion, TV: The Night of the Doctor) However, Miss Foster's sonic pen could open the deadlock seals that it was programmed to within her own facility when the Doctor's screwdriver could not. (TV: Partners in Crime) Some or all versions were ineffective against wood, or in the presence of some models of hairdryers. (TV: Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead, The Hungry Earth, Night Terrors, The Time of the Doctor, PROSE: Catastrophea)

Variants of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver

Doc2Sonic

The earliest known version of the sonic screwdriver in use. (TV: The War Games)

The First and Second Doctor's sonic

One sonic screwdriver, a small, simple device similar to a penlight, used by the First (PROSE: Venusian Lullaby) and Second Doctor. (TV: Fury from the Deep) It was used by the Eighth Doctor after it was destroyed "centuries ago". He explained how this occurred to his companion Samantha Jones: "It's a Time Lord tool. Time doesn't work the same way for Time Lord tools." (PROSE: Alien Bodies)

Known uses

The Third Doctor's sonic

Pertweewithscrewdriver

The Third Doctor's Sonic (TV: Carnival of Monsters)

The Third Doctor's most-used model of the sonic screwdriver was much larger than the one his first and second incarnation used; its elaborately-detailed silver shape featured black and yellow stripes and red trim. It had a removable head which the Doctor would change with others, each performing a different function. (TV: The Sea Devils)

Known uses

Refit used by the Third, Fourth and Fifth Doctor

File:St--4b32.jpg

The Fourth Doctor's Sonic (TV: The Sontaran Experiment)

The Third Doctor fitted the head of his sonic screwdriver with a cylindrical black magnet which enabled it to open bolted doors, especially when its polarity was reversed. (TV: Frontier in Space) This refit left the metal mostly unpainted, with a dark red emitter ring. The head of this model could be extended. Before this model was destroyed, (TV: The Visitation) its head was repainted twice after the original coat wore off. (TV: The Keeper of Traken, Castrovalva) The Doctor went without a sonic screwdriver for some time after this model and Nyssa lamented the Fifth Doctor's decision not to replace it. (TV: Snakedance)

The Doctor, leaving UNIT, left behind a prototype. UNIT scientists then tried to use reverse-engineering to understand its workings; this went on into the 21st century. Despite them trying to keep it quiet from the Doctor, he was well aware of the project by his seventh incarnation. (AUDIO: Persuasion)

Known uses

Used from the end of the Seventh Doctor's life

ChangLooksThroughSonic

Chang Lee discovers the sonic screwdriver amongst the things he stole from the Seventh Doctor. (TV: Doctor Who)

Towards the end of his seventh life, the Doctor fished another type of sonic screwdriver from one of the tool kits in the TARDIS. This model looked similar to the screwdriver seen at the end of his fourth incarnation; it was silver with a brass trim ring in the lower grip. The handle resembled the previous sonic screwdrivers with the upper section being able to collapse in similar fashion as a telescope into itself for ease of carrying. At the top, the emitter had a silver ring with a red bullet shape in the centre. This version remained in the Eighth Doctor's use throughout his life. Later, a torch was built into the handle. Once, while suffering from amnesia, the Doctor distracted himself and operated this sonic screwdriver on instinct. [source needed]

At the end of his life during the Last Great Time War, the Eighth Doctor used a similar model. (TV: The Night of the Doctor)

Known uses

After Lucie and Tamsin

Later in his eighth incarnation, the Doctor carried a sonic screwdriver with a wooden handle. It had a metallic tip with six prongs that nested a clear diode at the end, which glowed blue when activated. (AUDIO: The Great War) The Doctor claimed that he made this version of the sonic screwdriver to do more than open doors and blow up land mines. (AUDIO: X and the Daleks) It was called a pennywhistle by World War I medics. (AUDIO: The Great War) Although the Doctor used this screwdriver more frequently later on in his eighth incarnation, he had used this version of the sonic screwdriver as early as his travels with Charley Pollard. (AUDIO: The Light at the End)

Known uses

The War Doctor's sonic

War Doctor sonic

The War Doctor's sonic screwdriver. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)

At the end of the War Doctor's life, the Doctor used a sonic screwdriver with a simple metallic handle and a red diode at the end. It appeared to be a further upgraded version of the Eighth Doctor's sonic screwdriver adapted for battle. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)

Known uses

The Ninth and Tenth Doctor's sonic

The Doctor had yet another screwdriver during his eighth incarnation. This one had a glowing blue diode at one end. Although the Eighth Doctor was known to have used it as well, (PROSE: Osskah) this model was much more ubiquitous as the model carried by the Ninth Doctor, who used it far less frequently like his previous incarnations had done before. The Tenth Doctor also used this model, as he liked tinkering with technology to make devices he needed. This version was burnt out by accident after the Doctor used it to modify an X-ray output to over 5000%, but had replaced it with a near-identical model. (TV: Smith and Jones) The only visible difference was the colour scheme of the handle. The tenth incarnation had this screwdriver on his person during his regeneration, and was damaged repeatedly afterwards, which led to malfunctions. Despite the damage, the Eleventh Doctor used it to overload technology in an attempt to alert the Atraxi to Prisoner Zero's location. This fried it into useless, charred metal, much to his growing annoyance and anger. (TV: The Eleventh Hour)

Known uses

Security
Medical
Diagnostic
Technology
Amplification
Utility

After Prisoner Zero

ElevenScrewdriverTHE

The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver (TV: The Hungry Earth)

After the loss of the sonic screwdriver, the TARDIS gifted the Doctor with this new model. Differing radically from the last due to having "claws" and a green diode, rather than blue, it also had copper plating similar to the control room which had built itself following the TARDIS' crash landing in Leadworth. (TV: The Eleventh Hour) A psychic interface allowed its user to point it at a target and think of the function they wanted, instead of "settings"; however, it may have been a secondary way of using it. (TV: Let's Kill Hitler) Having been mentioned to be more than sonic, (TV: Night Terrors) this screwdriver also shot beams of green energy. (TV: Day of the Moon, Closing Time)

Retaining ineffectiveness against wood, it also didn't work against Peg Dolls (TV: Night Terrors) or the Wooden King and Queen. (TV: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe) The Doctor considered it embarassing and that "I need to invent a setting for wood." (TV: Night Terrors) In similar situations, he yelled at it in panic; "Aliens made of wood, you know this was always going to happen!", "Yes, I know it's wood. Get over it!" (TV: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe) Though aware of this flaw, he was still able to successfully bluff a Wooden Cyberman into destroying itself. (TV: The Time of the Doctor) Oddly, he defended once, "Oi! Don't diss the sonic!" (TV: The Hungry Earth) At some point it had an anti-freeze setting. (TV: The Snowmen)

It was destroyed and replaced repeatedly: bitten in half by a sky shark and left behind, (TV: A Christmas Carol) given to the Ganger Doctor, (TV: The Rebel Flesh) or simply fried out from over usage. In the latter instance, a replacement was given to him by Santa Claus. (COMIC: Silent Knight)

Known uses

Security
Medical
Diagnostic
Technology
Amplification
Other

River's screwdriver

Everybody_lives?_-_Doctor_Who_-_BBC

Everybody lives? - Doctor Who - BBC

The Tenth Doctor figures out the true purpose of River's screwdriver. (TV: Forest of the Dead)

The Doctor created another screwdriver before River Song's final date with him at the Darillium Singing Towers. This version of the sonic screwdriver had the settings of the Tenth Doctor's model when he met her at the Library along with "dampers" and a "red setting" that allowed it to work without interference from Doctor Moon. The Doctor gave it to River so she would be ready when she met his tenth incarnation in the Library. Unknown to her, this version included a neural relay which would save her data ghost for uploading into the main computer of the Library. (TV: Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead)

Known uses

Related tools

Main article: Sonic prodder
  • The Fifth Doctor also kept a Molenski Univarius in the TARDIS for repairs. He described it as a Gallifreyan "Swiss Army knife". While exploring the Axis, he carried it with him and used it in the same fashion as later models of the sonic screwdriver, even using the sonic properties to fend off creatures with sound waves before it ran out of power and was discarded. (AUDIO: The Axis of Insanity)
Main article: Molenski Univarius
Main article: Sonic suitcase
Main article: Laser screwdriver
Main article: Sonic blaster
Main article: Sonic modulator
Main article: Sonic pen
Main article: Sonic lipstick
Main article: Laser spanner
Main article: Phonic disruptor
Main article: Sonic lance
Main article: Sonic cane
  • While trapped on Apalapucia for thirty-six years, Amy Pond cobbled together a sonic screwdriver from various pieces of technology, although she insisted on calling it a "sonic probe". She later admitted it was a sonic screwdriver. (TV: The Girl Who Waited)
Main article: Sonic probe

Behind the scenes

The sonic screwdriver prop

  • The sonic screwdriver was retired during the Fifth Doctor serial The Visitation, as it was felt that it had been overused. It was absent for the Sixth and Seventh Doctor's eras, except in the TV Movie, in which the Seventh Doctor used it to lock the Master's remains away. The Eighth Doctor recovered it at the end of the film. The tool was reintroduced with the Ninth Doctor and has become the show's most frequently used gadget besides the TARDIS itself. It has since appeared in many Seventh and Eighth Doctor audio adventures from Big Finish Productions.
  • For unexplained reasons, the Tenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver had a green casing in The Infinite Quest.
  • During early production of Series 1 (2005), the production crew decided to switch from their original prop to one based on the toy sonic screwdriver because the first prop was prone to falling apart. The production team secured moulds of the toy replica to make a more reliable prop for the next season.
  • There are two main versions of the Tenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver - one has a slide feature with button, and one which does not slide and has a fixed button. The two prop types varied each episode.

Concept art

  • Early conceptual art of the modern era sonic screwdriver feature a different "tube" section. Notes refer to "glowing organic circuitry" and a movable ball-joint on the emitter to allow use around corners and in tight spaces. Instead of the "glowing circuitry," the actual prop and toy reproductions featured a black "swivel" like a simple helix. When given a personal copy of the concept art, David Tennant himself commented on the lack of the swivelling emitter.
  • Another early piece of concept art, similar to a simple Bitmap drawing, reveals that the black "cap" at the reverse end of the sonic screwdriver was intended to be an opening set of "feet," allowing the sonic screwdriver to plug into a section of the TARDIS console. This feature was also dropped from the eventual prop model.
  • When the Doctor handles the screwdriver, the clinking noises produced (when he throws and catches it) are created by repeating the motions with a corkscrew, the handles of which bump against the casing to produce the required noise. These noises are dubbed over the footage.

Sonic screwdriver toy

  • A toy of the Eleventh Doctor's version was seen in "Light Echoes", an edition of "The Sky at Night" broadcast on BBC4 on Wednesday 5th October 2010. The screwdriver was (jokingly) used to scan a part of the LOFAR radio telescope, then under construction in Chilbolton, Hampshire, UK.
  • The Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy has a total of four sound effects, two of which alternate with every other button press. The third is activated by pressing twice and holding on the third button push. The fourth is activated with three presses and a hold on the fourth push. However, in some models of the toy, over-use of the hidden sound effects causes the sound functions to eventually break, leaving only the LED functional.
  • A customiseable toy sonic screwdriver set featuring three screwdrivers with interchangeable parts can produce up to eight sound effects: the first two are the basic screwdriver sound, with slightly different pitches, and alternate each time the button is pressed. The other six effects are achieved in a similar manner to the Eleventh Doctor's sonic screwdriver toy, and are accompanied by a flashing lights instead of a constant light.

The Visual Dictionary

Attack of the Graske

In NOTDWU: Attack of the Graske, the Tenth Doctor appears to break the fourth wall by noting the player at home's been watching his adventures. Later, he points the sonic screwdriver at the television screen, transferring its powers to the player's digital remote control. This, along with having the player choose multiple endings to this game, disqualifies it as a valid source on this wiki.

Other matters

  • In the original script for The Eleventh Hour, the Doctor referred to his screwdriver as "Level 4000" technology.
  • Scientists at the University of Dundee invented a device which turns objects with ultrasonic waves, an invention which has been described as a real-world version of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.[1]
  • The Poldigon scientists the Seventh Doctor encountered on Celdor knew of Sonic screwdrivers, but not of The Doctor himself. This suggests they were at least partly a Gallifreyan invention and not entirely of the Doctor's creation. (AUDIO: The Doomsday Quatrain)

External links

Footnotes