Sword in the Stone story where the sword was held in place by electromagnets












10















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.










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  • 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
    8 hours ago











  • Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

    – jpmc26
    44 mins ago
















10















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.










share|improve this question




















  • 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
    8 hours ago











  • Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

    – jpmc26
    44 mins ago














10












10








10


2






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.










share|improve this question
















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






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edited 11 hours ago







aslum

















asked 12 hours ago









aslumaslum

1,46111321




1,46111321








  • 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
    8 hours ago











  • Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

    – jpmc26
    44 mins ago














  • 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
    8 hours ago











  • Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

    – jpmc26
    44 mins 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
8 hours ago





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
8 hours ago













Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

– jpmc26
44 mins ago





Oddly related recent WorldBuilding question: worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/141322/702

– jpmc26
44 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















17














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.







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  • 1





    I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

    – aslum
    9 hours ago



















5














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.






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  • 2





    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
    4 hours ago



















4














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)






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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

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    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    17














    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.







    share|improve this answer



















    • 1





      I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

      – aslum
      9 hours ago
















    17














    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.







    share|improve this answer



















    • 1





      I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

      – aslum
      9 hours ago














    17












    17








    17







    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.







    share|improve this answer













    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.








    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 10 hours ago









    jwodderjwodder

    4,72622731




    4,72622731








    • 1





      I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

      – aslum
      9 hours ago














    • 1





      I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

      – aslum
      9 hours ago








    1




    1





    I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

    – aslum
    9 hours ago





    I think this is it... I'll double check and then mark correct if so!

    – aslum
    9 hours ago













    5














    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.






    share|improve this answer








    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.
















    • 2





      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
      4 hours ago
















    5














    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.






    share|improve this answer








    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.
















    • 2





      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
      4 hours ago














    5












    5








    5







    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.






    share|improve this answer








    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.







    share|improve this answer








    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.









    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer






    New contributor




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    answered 6 hours ago









    thegreatemuthegreatemu

    1511




    1511




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    New contributor





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    thegreatemu is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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    • 2





      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
      4 hours ago














    • 2





      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
      4 hours ago








    2




    2





    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
    4 hours ago





    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
    4 hours ago











    4














    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)






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      4














      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)






      share|improve this answer








      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.























        4












        4








        4







        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)






        share|improve this answer








        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)







        share|improve this answer








        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.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        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 6 hours ago









        Ben BardenBen Barden

        1412




        1412




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        New contributor





        Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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        Ben Barden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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