The Most Important Device In The Universe

 The Most Important Device In The Universe:

"All I've found is that these red lights keep moving back and forth. Aside from that this thing seems to have no function whatsoever" - Airplane II 

As seen in numerous science-fiction television shows and movies since the 1970s, the 'Dual Generator with Neon Lights' is often used as a background (and sometimes foreground) prop. Its distinctive appearance and blinking red neon lights is almost never explained within the context of the universe it appears in. Perhaps its most famous appearance in Airplane II: The Sequel (the first clip in the video above) specifically calls out the ambiguous nature of this device.

For years I've thought about modeling this in 3D. Collected a few reference images from various sources on the internet. Airplane II, The Last Starfighter, and various Star Trek films/shows being the more prominent appearances.

Created by Modern Props (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1169072769784133), until 2020 or so it was available for rent - one of many stock props that were available from Modern Props.

The ends of the device seem to be 'Baker Hydro Deluxe Vinyl Liner In Ground Skimmer' a component for ground swimming pools which traps and filters out leaves and other debris that is floating in the pool.

As part of my work on HummingbirdVR, the opening scene is a 'futuristic space lab' and while UIC design students created the scene, for our presentation of Hummingbird at SIGGRAPH 2022's Immersive Pavilion, I decided to add my own flair to the scene and this seems like an appropriate 3D model.

'Ground Skimmer' July 8, 2022

Using both the Facebook video linked above and actual dimentioned diagrams (https://www.inyopools.com/pool_parts_baker_hydro_purex.aspx), I attempted to estimate the overall size of these components.

July 8, 2022

Across its many appearances, there are a number of subtle differences. This includes various pipes which are swapped for black caps, a new different devices that appear on the center of the table, and finally the end caps on the 'Ground Skimmer' components. For the most part this 3D model is based on its Airplane II appearance, but I included an alternate end cap (the silver with red/blue glow) what was seen in The Last Starfighter and some episodes of Star Trek.

July 9, 2022

Final Render July 9, 2022

Final rendering in Unity as part of HummingbirdVR's opening scene. Again just for fun, but an inspired excuse to make a 3D model of it.