The Metron communicator device

[BoredShipCapt'n]

Anyone have any idea what this prop was made from?

 

[mach7]

If your talking about the ones Kirk and the Gorn used, I believe they were just slightly modified universal translators.

I've always thought they were metal tubes, probably a flashlight?

 

[Redfern]

Actually, it was the reverse. The prop first appeared here (a first season episode) as "alien" technology supplied by the Metrons and was later used in "Metamorphosis" (a second year story) as StarFleet hardware. Actually, nothing was stated as to where the "universal translator" originated. some fans, like myself, just assumed the latter was StarFleet engineered, but it could be equally valid that StarFleet managed to replicate the Metron device and issued it to various ships. Or, it could have been the same device given to Kirk in "Arena", a little "thank you" from the Metrons for showing promise as a developing species.

As for the props construction, the usual theory is that it started existence as a flashlight casing redressed. I honestly don't know.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Plum]

Just as a side note, the universal translator was invented by Hoshi in 'Enterprise'. *cough* rather like most things in trek, 'Enterprise' invented it. ;p

 

[mach7]

Redfern is correct of course.
Arena was the first episode it appeared in.

 

[BoredShipCapt'n]

Thanks.

 

[Darkwing]

Just as a side note, the universal translator was invented by Hoshi in 'Enterprise'. *cough* rather like most things in trek, 'Enterprise' invented it. ;p

Only in nuTrek. Have we seen nuKirk use a universal translator yet?

 

[Warped9]

Just as a side note, the universal translator was invented by Hoshi in 'Enterprise'. *cough* rather like most things in trek, 'Enterprise' invented it. ;p

No.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

The translator prop reminds me of a light saber handle in Star Wars (1977) that was really a tubular stainless steel mount for a camera's flash. The tube held the flash bulb's batteries.

http://petapixel.com/2011/07/11/star-wars-lightsabers-were-originally-made-from-camera-parts/

 

[Nerys Myk]

Just as a side note, the universal translator was invented by Hoshi in 'Enterprise'. *cough* rather like most things in trek, 'Enterprise' invented it. ;p

Since it's a prequel, why wouldn't most of the technology have antecedents in the Enterprise era?

Hoshi didn't invent it, though. But she was responsible for the linguacode matrix (after she left the Enterprise). Hoshi was more of an operator and supplement to the UT.

Apparently the Friendship One probe launched in 2067 contained "Translation matrix" "that facilitated the conversion of symbols and sounds from one language to another".

So we'd better get cracking.

 

[Plum]

^^^
I'm not entirely sure, you're most likely right, but in the ENT episode 'Demons' where the federation is first formed the Earth president (Richard Wilkins), I distinctly remember him, thanks Hoshi for the universal translators (they were clipped onto their clothes). To which she acted all humble and aw shucks like a schmuck, saying she just put together a few things.

Memory Alpha has a line about this under 'universal translator'.

 

[Nerys Myk]

^^^
I'm not entirely sure, you're most likely right, but in the ENT episode 'Demons' where the federation is first formed the Earth president (Richard Wilkins), I distinctly remember him, thanks Hoshi for the universal translators (they were clipped onto their clothes). To which she acted all humble and aw shucks like a schmuck, saying she just put together a few things.

Memory Alpha has a line about this under 'universal translator'.

I don't think they say she invented it.

The actual universal translator, which was used for deciphering unknown languages on the fly, was a handheld device with a keypad and display to which a communicator could attach at the top. (ENT: "Precious Cargo") The communicator was also apparently able to translate preprogrammed languages without having the full universal translator attached. (ENT: "Civilization") Additionally, small translators, able to be clipped onto clothing, were available in 2155 to function as a standalone version of what was usually built into communicators of the era. (ENT: "Demons")

I assume it's this line:

SAMUELS: Well, it certainly helps that the delegates can understand each other. These universal translators work perfectly, thanks to you.
HOSHI: I just updated them with a few things we picked up on the mission.

 

[Plum]

^^^
Ahhh, righto.