56:50 – Spikey Shootey Ball
It’d return as the ultimate light saber training aid for small children in the Episode II prequel. Here we find Luke trying his hand at a little swordplay. Seriously, does anyone out there know what this thing is actually called?
57:24 – Monster Chess Game
And in the background of the Spikey Shootey Ball scene, we get a glimpse at the very-awesome holographic monster chess game. Someday this will be a real game, everyone. Someday.
1:14:35 – Communicator
Bingo marker? No! Glue stick? No! It’s a communications device. Whereas the first three episodes featured communicators that looked like a cross between a cell phone and a woman’s razor, future generations enjoy smaller, simpler technologies. But how do you download apps? It’s all about the apps.
1:25:08 – Grappling Hook
Ah, the grappling hook. An unlimited length of super strong wire that fits neatly onto a belt that every protagonist seems to always be wearing.
1:31:17 – R2D2’s Fire Extinguisher
If you can build your own droid, you should absolutely do it. It’s like if a Home Depot did it with a Best Buy and the resulting kid had wheels.
1:34:26 – Handheld Ship Identification Doohickey
“Pew, pew… Gotcha.”
1:35:51 – The First 3D TV Ever Made
No glasses required! Sure, nothing actually appears in 3D but this big TV can display 3D-type objects on its flat surface. In an age when everything’s displayed in holographic form, it’s nice to see the Rebel Alliance is still getting by with older technology. You’ve got to keep an eye on your spending when you’re starting up a rebellion.
1:45:43 – Targeting Computer
“Switch to targeting computer.” Little did George Lucas know that Nintendo would invent Virtual Boy almost 20 years later and it’d look an awful lot like the targeting computer from the movie. And just like Luke didn’t use his own targeting computer to blow up the Death Star, nobody bought a Virtual Boy.
That’s it. Stay tuned for Episodes V and VI.
More on Techland:
Spot the Gadgets in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Spot the Gadgets in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Spot the Gadgets in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith