Sword in the Stone story where the sword was held in place by electromagnets
So some years ago I read a story that included a "sword in the stone" bit and it was explained that the sword was held in place by electromagnets that could be released when "the one" tried to pull the sword out.
I don't remember how integral to the story this bit was (it might have been just an aside about how the current king had been picked). I also don't remember if this was part of a full novel or just a short story. I think time travel was involved as the setting was "fantasy-esque" and the whole electricity/magnet connection was obviously an anachronism.
story-identification time-travel arthurian
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
add a comment |
So some years ago I read a story that included a "sword in the stone" bit and it was explained that the sword was held in place by electromagnets that could be released when "the one" tried to pull the sword out.
I don't remember how integral to the story this bit was (it might have been just an aside about how the current king had been picked). I also don't remember if this was part of a full novel or just a short story. I think time travel was involved as the setting was "fantasy-esque" and the whole electricity/magnet connection was obviously an anachronism.
story-identification time-travel arthurian
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
1
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago
add a comment |
So some years ago I read a story that included a "sword in the stone" bit and it was explained that the sword was held in place by electromagnets that could be released when "the one" tried to pull the sword out.
I don't remember how integral to the story this bit was (it might have been just an aside about how the current king had been picked). I also don't remember if this was part of a full novel or just a short story. I think time travel was involved as the setting was "fantasy-esque" and the whole electricity/magnet connection was obviously an anachronism.
story-identification time-travel arthurian
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
So some years ago I read a story that included a "sword in the stone" bit and it was explained that the sword was held in place by electromagnets that could be released when "the one" tried to pull the sword out.
I don't remember how integral to the story this bit was (it might have been just an aside about how the current king had been picked). I also don't remember if this was part of a full novel or just a short story. I think time travel was involved as the setting was "fantasy-esque" and the whole electricity/magnet connection was obviously an anachronism.
story-identification time-travel arthurian
story-identification time-travel arthurian
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
edited 16 hours ago
aslum
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
asked 16 hours ago
aslumaslum
1,46611321
1,46611321
1
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago
1
1
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
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This may be "Once and Future" by the late Terry Pratchett, first published in Camelot in 1995. A time-travelling historian named "Mervin" gets stranded in an anachronism stew that mostly matches Arthurian legend, and he reproduces the sword-in-a-stone bit in order to get a king who will follow his advice for advancing technology.
All the mechanical ways of doing it I had to rule out. That left electricity. Strange thing is, it's a lot easier to make a crude electrical generator than a crude steam engine. The only really critical things are the bearings.
And the copper wire.
And then, when the sword is pulled, Mervin finds out how this Albion is different from ours:
Uther had a daughter in this world.
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
add a comment |
It's been a long time since I read them, but I believe Merlin used a lodestone (magnet, but not electromagnet) in this way in A. A. Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn series. Sadly I can't find a ready summary now.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
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Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
add a comment |
It also showed up in Interstellar Patrol II the Federation of Humanity, by Christopher Anvil. It wasn't a time-travel story, but there was absolutely a sword in a stone that was being used to determine a ruler, and people mucking about with magnets to mess with the situation.
(excerpt link)
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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This may be "Once and Future" by the late Terry Pratchett, first published in Camelot in 1995. A time-travelling historian named "Mervin" gets stranded in an anachronism stew that mostly matches Arthurian legend, and he reproduces the sword-in-a-stone bit in order to get a king who will follow his advice for advancing technology.
All the mechanical ways of doing it I had to rule out. That left electricity. Strange thing is, it's a lot easier to make a crude electrical generator than a crude steam engine. The only really critical things are the bearings.
And the copper wire.
And then, when the sword is pulled, Mervin finds out how this Albion is different from ours:
Uther had a daughter in this world.
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
add a comment |
This may be "Once and Future" by the late Terry Pratchett, first published in Camelot in 1995. A time-travelling historian named "Mervin" gets stranded in an anachronism stew that mostly matches Arthurian legend, and he reproduces the sword-in-a-stone bit in order to get a king who will follow his advice for advancing technology.
All the mechanical ways of doing it I had to rule out. That left electricity. Strange thing is, it's a lot easier to make a crude electrical generator than a crude steam engine. The only really critical things are the bearings.
And the copper wire.
And then, when the sword is pulled, Mervin finds out how this Albion is different from ours:
Uther had a daughter in this world.
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
add a comment |
This may be "Once and Future" by the late Terry Pratchett, first published in Camelot in 1995. A time-travelling historian named "Mervin" gets stranded in an anachronism stew that mostly matches Arthurian legend, and he reproduces the sword-in-a-stone bit in order to get a king who will follow his advice for advancing technology.
All the mechanical ways of doing it I had to rule out. That left electricity. Strange thing is, it's a lot easier to make a crude electrical generator than a crude steam engine. The only really critical things are the bearings.
And the copper wire.
And then, when the sword is pulled, Mervin finds out how this Albion is different from ours:
Uther had a daughter in this world.
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
This may be "Once and Future" by the late Terry Pratchett, first published in Camelot in 1995. A time-travelling historian named "Mervin" gets stranded in an anachronism stew that mostly matches Arthurian legend, and he reproduces the sword-in-a-stone bit in order to get a king who will follow his advice for advancing technology.
All the mechanical ways of doing it I had to rule out. That left electricity. Strange thing is, it's a lot easier to make a crude electrical generator than a crude steam engine. The only really critical things are the bearings.
And the copper wire.
And then, when the sword is pulled, Mervin finds out how this Albion is different from ours:
Uther had a daughter in this world.
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
answered 15 hours ago
jwodderjwodder
4,74622731
4,74622731
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
1
1
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
13 hours ago
add a comment |
It's been a long time since I read them, but I believe Merlin used a lodestone (magnet, but not electromagnet) in this way in A. A. Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn series. Sadly I can't find a ready summary now.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
add a comment |
It's been a long time since I read them, but I believe Merlin used a lodestone (magnet, but not electromagnet) in this way in A. A. Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn series. Sadly I can't find a ready summary now.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
add a comment |
It's been a long time since I read them, but I believe Merlin used a lodestone (magnet, but not electromagnet) in this way in A. A. Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn series. Sadly I can't find a ready summary now.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It's been a long time since I read them, but I believe Merlin used a lodestone (magnet, but not electromagnet) in this way in A. A. Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn series. Sadly I can't find a ready summary now.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
answered 10 hours ago
thegreatemuthegreatemu
1611
1611
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thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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3
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
add a comment |
3
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
3
3
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
Can confirm. That series consistently treats electromagnetic phenomena as a type of magic, starting with the identification of the "Storm Tree" (Yggdrasil) with the earth's magnetic field.
– zwol
8 hours ago
add a comment |
It also showed up in Interstellar Patrol II the Federation of Humanity, by Christopher Anvil. It wasn't a time-travel story, but there was absolutely a sword in a stone that was being used to determine a ruler, and people mucking about with magnets to mess with the situation.
(excerpt link)
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It also showed up in Interstellar Patrol II the Federation of Humanity, by Christopher Anvil. It wasn't a time-travel story, but there was absolutely a sword in a stone that was being used to determine a ruler, and people mucking about with magnets to mess with the situation.
(excerpt link)
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It also showed up in Interstellar Patrol II the Federation of Humanity, by Christopher Anvil. It wasn't a time-travel story, but there was absolutely a sword in a stone that was being used to determine a ruler, and people mucking about with magnets to mess with the situation.
(excerpt link)
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It also showed up in Interstellar Patrol II the Federation of Humanity, by Christopher Anvil. It wasn't a time-travel story, but there was absolutely a sword in a stone that was being used to determine a ruler, and people mucking about with magnets to mess with the situation.
(excerpt link)
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
answered 10 hours ago
Ben BardenBen Barden
1412
1412
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
As a side note: This sword scheme was once used as a key plot point in an episode of the now-cancelled TV program 'Banacek'.
– PMar
13 hours ago
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
5 hours ago