User:Brianshapiro/Drafts/Raygun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A ray-gun is a theoretical type of weapon that would affect its target through directed radiation ("ray" being the root of the word "radiation"). Inspired by new technologies like the x-ray tube, ray guns were common in early 20th century futurism and later became widely used within science fiction. Practical weapons that function according to the same principle have been created, but have become generally referred to as directed-energy weapons, since the term "ray gun" has fantastic connotations to it, given its history in sci-fi.
More specific names for ray guns have been developed in modern science fiction, both due to research advances, and as a way to avoid the connotation of campiness attached to the term through their prolific use in pulp fiction, B films, space operas, and comics.