Hyperspanner

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

A hyperspanner is an adaptable multipurpose engineering tool carried aboard starships. One of its many uses include repairing communication systems.

While exploring a 31st century time pod, Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed discovered an access tunnel that seemed to drop several dozen feet, much more then the size of the pod would allow. To prove it wasn't a hologram of some kind, he dropped a hyper spanner down it. After it hit the bottom, he used it as an excuse to go down and retrieve it. (ENT: "Future Tense")

While being rehabilitated for Engineering duties after experiencing 25 years of confinement in his mind, Miles O'Brien identified one of the tools in a set that Jake Sisko used to try to help him regain his memory. (DS9: "Hard Time")

In 2374, Chakotay used a hyperspanner to repair the communications systems aboard a shuttlecraft. (VOY: "Unity")

In 2374, while trapped in a restrictive environmental suit, B'Elanna Torres said that it would be much easier to interplex the comm systems in it if she had a hyperspanner. (VOY: "Day of Honor")

In 2377, The Doctor created a holonovel, Photons Be Free, that portrays an under appreciated holographic doctor who is belittled and oppressed by his crew. In the story, B'Elanna Torres' counterpart, "Torrey," openly proclaims to the protagonist that he is merely a tool, comparing him to a hyperspanner. (VOY: "Author, Author")

Many fans consider the hyperspanner to be a great example of technobabble, as its actual use has never really been explained, and the writers seem to put it in whenever they need a "recognizable tool." It is similar in concept to the Sonic Screwdriver of Doctor Who fame.

[edit] References

• DS9:
  • "The Ship"
  • "Empok Nor"
  • "When It Rains..." (mentioned in background chatter at Cardassian resistance camp)
• VOY:
  • "Unity"
  • "Day of Honor"
  • "Living Witness"
  • "Drive"
  • "Lineage"
  • "Author, Author"
• ENT:
  • "Future Tense"
  • "Minefield"
  • "Rajiin" (mentioned in background chatter on the Xanthan homeworld)