#SpocksCalculator

[starkiller1701-a]

Spock’s Calculator Project #1

Stardate: 2112.28

So I had this idea ever since I rewatched “That Which Survives” (TOS S3 E17): In the episode Spock is in command of the Enterprise and for a great part of the episode he is carrying around an interesting device

Now I’ve looked it up and prop reference sites identify it as “Spock’s calculator.”

I found it interesting because throughout the episode you can see the commander just fiddling with the device, but as it does not have any visible character read out I thought it was curious that they referred to it as a calculator. So I think it would be interesting if it was in fact not a calculating device at all but rather a sensory toy like the ones that are so popular now adays, and essentially that is what my project will be, recreating that prop as a sensory toy. 

My idea is to have the keys in the center of the device be actual mechanical keyboard keys, that way you would get the most out of the touchy-fiddly satisfaction of a sensory toy, and there’s no better way to stimulate that than through click-y keyboard keys. There are three knobs on top, my vision is to have each one do a different mechanical motion so as to expand the selection of sensations, as well as with the white button on the side. For that button I envision something like a pen button, having it click into place and clicked again to release. So the end product would be a similar looking prop that also has the sensory functionality with it. 

I first looked around the interwebs to see if this had been done, granted I have a specific vision in mind, but why reinvent the wheel. I did find a person that sells 3D printed replicas, but as far as I can tell it is a solid piece and the keys don’t move, although I am not entirely sure, so I did ask the seller, and as of now I am waiting for a response. 

This is that model. It looks to me as though maybe the side button might be actionable, but we shall see. I will include links to everything I mention so as to catalogue everything, as a reference for me to look up later on, but also incase anyone is curious or wants to follow along. (Ebay) Besides the this replica probably not working as envisioned, the knobs on top are not screen accurate, which I admit is a nitpick, as I myself will be changing a couple things since the keys don’t look like keyboard caps, but funny enough I was able to find someone that sells the screen accurate silver knob so I think at the very least I should try to stick to that if I can. 

Now, I mention screen accurateness because I found some reference photos of the prop. (YourProps)

I will definitely be referencing these when building my model. An interesting fact about this device though is that it is not the first time it has been used, in fact it was one of the very first Star Trek props out there. The device itself is based on the body of the communicator seen in The Cage (First Pilot).

Clearly visible is the same general shape and the same knobs on the top, the only thing missing are the other buttons. But on that note I am obliged to mention the other use this prop saw in the series, which happens to be in the almost worst episode, Spock’s Brain (TOS S3 E1).

(YourProps)

This version of the prop is missing the side button, but we do get a better look at the shape of the footprint which will surely come in handy later on. 

As I mentioned earlier I managed to find the silver knob in the middle, so at least that part is covered. (eBay)

The black side knobs seem very familiar, common enough but I will have put a name to the face and get some for this project. (If anyone knows what they are actually called and where I could find them that would be an amazing help.) 

As for the other components, I was able to find just want I needed in terms of keyboard switch testers: a 2 by 5 keycap switch tester module. (Amazon)

This part I wasn’t to worried about but having this will make things easier. I plan on basically building the rest of the device around this, and because of that the dimensions will depend on the size if this module. I don’t think it will deviate much from the apparent size of the original prop, although to be honest I don’t actually have the full specs on the original prop, that is definitely something I hope to find as I work more on this.  Custom solid colour keycaps should be easy enough to come by. So far I found a site that makes them, although I am sure I can find a better source (again, any suggestions are welcomed). (WasdKeyboards) One cool thing about this toy will be that it will effectively double as a switch testing module for when I launch myself fully into the keyboard hobby. That leaves the white side button, which I will look into further later on. 

My main Idea is to create a 3D model of the main body of the prop and then have it 3D printed. This will help me get familiar with blender, and I am confident that I will be able to find someone that can help me make that happen. Apart from all of that it’s basically a matter of gathering all of these parts and putting then together, which should not be too challenging. I expect that the 3D printed component(s) will add to the cost, but I am interested in seeing how much this will be overall, because if it’s a reasonable investment I think it would be cool to be able to make others for people that are interested. I don’t expect the demand to be terribly high for such an obscure prop, but you never know, plus I do think the functionality that I will build into it makes it that much more valuable.  Again if you happen to get to this point, any input at all would be appreciated. I’ve never done anything like this but I think it will be a fun challenge to accomplish hopefully within the next year! 

(Since this post is massive enough already I will add further updates on to #SpocksCalculator to make it easier to find; I don’t expect there to be many posts under that tag lol) 

#Spock's Calculator #SpocksCalculator #Spock #that which survives #The Cage #Spock's Brain #Star Trek #TOS #The Original Series #props #mechanical keyboard