The infinitely expanding universe of Star Trek features a wide array of technology. These range from the warp drives that allow for intergalactic travel, to the surprisingly complex holdocks. The majority of the sci-fi gadgetry from the shows and movies center around science, exploration, or recreations. However, there are a few whose primary purpose is destructive, like phasers or the intermittently used photon torpedoes. Every Star Trek battle scene hears the captains calling the order to “arm the photon torpedoes” — but what exactly are they?

It’s not necessarily fair to say that these creations are used solely for violence. Still, it is true that their main use throughout the franchise is to blow stuff up. Like phasers, the photon torpedoes can be used for a plethora of scientific reasons, like collapsing unstable warp bubbles or removing debris hurtling towards an innocent colony. In keeping with the show’s ethos of peace over warfare, they were used as such a lot of the time. They were, however, initially envisioned to be a means of attack for not only Starfleet, but also a range of other alien races and militaries (as Starfleet is, despite what they might preach, a military organization). In fact, they were used most notably by the mighty Klingons.

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The photon torpedoes were first introduced in The Original Series during its second season. Since then, they have been envisioned as the Star…