Sword in the Stone story where the sword was held in place by electromagnetsWhat book has a war between kingdoms named after colours, including Green?Horror short story with an upbeat endingWhat story this is? Boy named Arthur steals bananas with his helibackpackA short story that was a “Conan the Barbarian” parody — kill the sorcerer Reh, “rescue” the princessPlease help identify a short Sword and Sorcery story about a city of torturersOlder short story where man is convinced by God to take his (God's) place?Old book with Sci-Fi/Fantasy mix with four Irish relics (stone, cauldron, spear and sword)Trying to remember a story where space ship AI become sapient upon entering a zoneBook involviing “the sword with the silver pommel” and a kiss to open the mind's eyeComic book with a crossbow that fired a 'bolt' that unfolds mid-air into a horizontal sword/knife-like projectile
What is a function that separates points?
Python: Check if string and its substring are existing in the same list
Why doesn't using two cd commands in bash script execute the second command?
Is having access to past exams cheating and, if yes, could it be proven just by a good grade?
Will a pinhole camera work with instant film?
What does it mean to make a bootable LiveUSB?
Is it possible that AIC = BIC?
How could a scammer know the apps on my phone / iTunes account?
Russian cases: A few examples, I'm really confused
Who is our nearest planetary neighbor, on average?
Does the statement `int val = (++i > ++j) ? ++i : ++j;` invoke undefined behavior?
Min function accepting varying number of arguments in C++17
Informing my boss about nasty remarks about me from a colleague
How to answer questions about my characters?
Why are the outputs of printf and std::cout different
How to generate globally unique ids for different tables of the same database?
Instead of Universal Basic Income, why not Universal Basic NEEDS?
Is it possible to upcast ritual spells?
Should we release the security issues we found in our product as CVE or we can just update those on weekly release notes?
Define, (actually define) the "stability" and "energy" of a compound
Identifying the interval from A♭ to D♯
What options are left, if Britain cannot decide?
Can hydraulic brake levers get hot when brakes overheat?
Is it normal that my co-workers at a fitness company criticize my food choices?
Sword in the Stone story where the sword was held in place by electromagnets
What book has a war between kingdoms named after colours, including Green?Horror short story with an upbeat endingWhat story this is? Boy named Arthur steals bananas with his helibackpackA short story that was a “Conan the Barbarian” parody — kill the sorcerer Reh, “rescue” the princessPlease help identify a short Sword and Sorcery story about a city of torturersOlder short story where man is convinced by God to take his (God's) place?Old book with Sci-Fi/Fantasy mix with four Irish relics (stone, cauldron, spear and sword)Trying to remember a story where space ship AI become sapient upon entering a zoneBook involviing “the sword with the silver pommel” and a kiss to open the mind's eyeComic book with a crossbow that fired a 'bolt' that unfolds mid-air into a horizontal sword/knife-like projectile
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 yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
|
show 10 more comments
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 yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
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
yesterday
7
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
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 yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
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 yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
asked yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
edited yesterday
aslum
asked yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
asked yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
asked yesterday
aslumaslum
1,48611421
1,48611421
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
yesterday
7
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
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
yesterday
7
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 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
yesterday
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
yesterday
7
7
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 hours ago
|
show 10 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
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 yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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
yesterday
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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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.
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 hours ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "186"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fscifi.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f207188%2fsword-in-the-stone-story-where-the-sword-was-held-in-place-by-electromagnets%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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 yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
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 yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
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 yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
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 yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
answered yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
answered yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
answered yesterday
jwodderjwodder
4,90722831
4,90722831
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
add a comment |
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
3
3
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!
– aslum
yesterday
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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
yesterday
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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
yesterday
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
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 yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
answered yesterday
thegreatemuthegreatemu
20112
20112
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.
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.
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
yesterday
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
yesterday
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
yesterday
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
yesterday
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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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.
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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.
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
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 yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
answered yesterday
Ben BardenBen Barden
1612
1612
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.
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 hours ago
add a comment |
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 hours ago
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 hours ago
I thought of this one, too, it does seem to fit
– Megha
10 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fscifi.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f207188%2fsword-in-the-stone-story-where-the-sword-was-held-in-place-by-electromagnets%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
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
yesterday
7
Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702
– jpmc26
yesterday
It also appears in the Scorpion series (one episode occurs in a medieval festival and someone acts as Arthur releasing the sword but a genius notices and reveals that there's an electromagnet maintaining it)
– Rafalon
yesterday
Another side note: the trick (or one very much like it) works well. I was the adult from the audience of a magic show who couldn't lift a box a child could. It was held down with a large electromagnet in a stand that was weighted down with my own weight, and had a steel plate in the bottom. I'm a scientist/engineer so I spotted it despite the well-disguised switch - but of course I didn't let on.
– Chris H
23 hours ago
@jpmc26 I posted an answer there, but wanted to track down the source of my inspiration in order to improve my answer. Hence this question.
– aslum
20 hours ago