The 2009 Syfy television series Warehouse 13 captivated audiences with its unique blend of science fiction, historical lore, and procedural drama. At the heart of the show’s charm was its collection of supernatural historical artifacts. However, the most iconic piece of technology in the series wasn't an artifact at all. It was the , the sleek, steampunk-inspired portable video communicator used by the agents.
Embedding small circular LCD screens wired to a Raspberry Pi or Arduino to play video clips from the show.
Row C lengthened. The shelf behind him drifted away, becoming a speck in the distance, while the elevator doors ahead seemed to rush toward him. The floor tiles rippled like water.
For the Warehouse 13 community, owning a "portable" piece of the show usually means building or buying a replica Farnsworth. Because the original props were meticulously crafted with vintage radio parts and custom brasswork, they have become some of the most sought-after items in sci-fi memorabilia.
A signature secondary effect is the erasure of the target's short-term memory, ensuring "witnesses" don't remember the incident.
Aside from the Ping device, agents carry several other "portable" steampunk-inspired gadgets: The Farnsworth:
In the DIY maker community, the Farnsworth is a favorite project. Thousands of fans have utilized 3D printing, brass weathering techniques, and small LCD screens hooked up to Raspberry Pi or Arduino microcontrollers to build their own functional "portable Farnsworths." These fan-made devices often play loops of Artie yelling at the user to "snag it, bag it, and tag it," bringing a piece of the show's unique charm into the real world.
Elias kicked the tire, a dull thud echoing through the cavernous space. He checked his watch: 11:42 PM. He checked his clipboard: "Sector 7, Row C, Shelf 4, Box 9."
When agents are in the field, they can't bring a 10-ton containment vessel with them. They need something sleek, secure, and—if possible—disguisable. Features of the Portable Artifact Case
Pick one of the above or briefly clarify which you want and I’ll produce it.
Many fan communities share techniques for using found objects and electronics to create detailed, non-functional replicas of the Tesla Gun and other gear.
In the universe of Syfy’s hit series Warehouse 13 , history isn't just a collection of dates and facts. It is a repository of dangerous, supernatural energy left behind by humanity’s greatest figures, tragedies, and triumphs. While the Warehouse itself is a massive, sprawling archive of these volatile artifacts, the field agents—Pete Lattimer, Myka Bering, Artie Nielsen, and Claudia Donovan—frequently travel the globe to track down rogue items.
A series of heavy-duty switches, rotary knobs for frequency tuning, and a prominent side-mounted activation lever.