UPDATE: Disney Parks chief shows the goods at SXSW. Then scroll down to see the patent filing from 2021 and more
How Disney’s ‘real’ lightsaber patent actually works (Sean Hollister, The Verge)
Think tape measures — or slap bracelets, in reverse
A real lightsaber. How is that possible?
It’s probably not, of course. But when Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro ended his April 8th presentation by whipping out a never-before-seen retractable lightsaber — no video evidence, mind — Disney and Star Wars fans went wild online. Speculation ran rampant, much of it pointing to a 2018 patent for a “Sword device with retractable, internally illuminated blade.” I pored through that patent late that evening, and I’ve been trying to figure out a way to show Verge readers how it works ever since. Heck, I even ordered a pair of LED slap bracelets that have yet to arrive. MORE@THE VERGE
GALLERY
UPDATE: Here’s the teaser video for what to expect when you get your hands on a lightsaber. Disney announced today that the prop will be part of its new Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World . The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel will open in 2022 and include previously announced “windows” that allow you to see the Galaxy outside you room. Reservations for the two-night all immersion event will become available later this year.
All this started coming to a head last month when Disney first announced the engineering behind the real lightsaber.
Did #Disney invent a real working #lightsaber?
Yes they did.
It won't melt through metal blast doors, or cut off your hand, but it does feature an illuminated blade that will extend and retract at the push of a button.
This animation shows the concept behind the tech. pic.twitter.com/e7fwP06CxF
— Ben Ridout (@benridout) April 12, 2021
Next, widen the tapes and increase the curve, allowing them to partially wrap around each other and form a complete cylinder. Drive this system with a motor so both reels can be extended and retracted in synch at the push of a button. Now, you've got a lightsaber! pic.twitter.com/B3lLMmclDN
— Ben Ridout (@benridout) April 12, 2021
