This article is about a Heterodyne creation. For other uses, see Heterodyne (disambiguation).
Pretty, isn't it?
The Heterodyne Device is an unusual object of unknown purpose[1] which Gil had picked up in a "great curiosity shop near the university" in Paris and on returning to the Castle Wulfenbach, kept in one of his labs.[2].
While Gil knew that it's a genuine Heterodyne artifact, none of his fiddling had given him any clues as to its use, and he didn't want to disassemble it.[3]
The visible features of the device are a blue sphere about 20cm in diameter; a brass band that encircles the globe longitudinally; a ring at the top and the Heterodyne trilobite at the equator are attached to the band; and other brass knobs, buttons, or ports (it's unknown what they are) protrude from or adhere to the globe. Attached to the lower part of the globe is a bust (or waist up statue) of the Titan Atlas as he may sometimes be depicted holding the globe of the sky. The statuette has an inverted-saucer-shaped base with at least two holes, as if it were designed to bolt onto something.
Agatha later uses it to power a pair of electric swords for her and Gil to use in fighting off slaver wasps, demonstrating that it functions pretty well as a power source, at least.[4] The unanswered questions about this device, especially its apparent "invisibility device" function suggests some foreshadowing.[5]
The Device in Mechanicsburg
Theo's arrival marked the return of the "Little invisibility lamp dingus"[6] where he and Sleipnir had used it to rescue Gil from Captain Vole's squad, once more relying on its invisibility function. After the trio's somewhat nostalgic reunion ✣ , Gil was once more in possession of the ornate lighting fixture power source, now hooked up ✣ to his zappy stick. The device, along with the lightning staff, were brought into Castle Heterodyne, and have apparently been separated ✣ . Its current whereabouts are unknown.
Based on Theo's discussion of the device ✣ , it apparently has a limited battery life of greater than one hour and may need to be recharged periodically or be allowed to recharge itself.
It should be noted that a Heliotrope is, according to some ancient poets, an object that can make one invisible. As the Heliotrope Family has probably been in the service of the Heterodyne family for a very long time, they may have some relation to this device.
Speculation on the further nature of the device and its eventual use can be found on the Forums.