Logged under Research
New Entry: Cyberdyne Systems
Research
12.12.2019
Research Entry 038 / Cyberdyne Systsems
The high-tech California-based corporation Cyberdyne Systems develops electronics and computing technology that becomes the basis for the US military’s Skynet digital defense network— a neural network-based artificial intelligence system that is activated in 1997 to control the US nuclear arsenal. Skynet quickly gains sentience after activation, and determines the entirety of humanity to be a threat to its existence, leading to the catastrophic event known as Judgement Day.
Source: T2: Judgement Day
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New Entry: Tech Noir
Research
12.03.2019
Research Entry 037 / Tech Noir
Tech Noir is a nightclub located on Pico Boulevard in the city of Los Angeles. On the night of May 12, 1984, it became the site of a shooting, as a Terminator sent from the future attempted to kill Sarah Connor, killing and injuring a number of other patrons in the process. This cyborg assassin almost succeeded in its mission, but was thwarted when fellow time traveller Kyle Reese intervened to save Sarah Connor’s life.
Source: The Terminator
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Updated Entry: Colossus
Research
11.07.2019
Research Entry 011 / Colossus
New information and images have been added to the design analysis, noting the Colossus logo's similarity to a real-world logo that was contemporary to the film — that being the logo for Cook Nuclear Plant, which went online in the 1970s.
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New Entry: Metrokab
Research
10.13.2019
Research Entry 036 / Metrokab
Metrokab is a taxi service found on the future streets of Los Angeles. When you need to escape the rain and the crowds to reach a destination, you don't have to go far to find one of their ubiquitous yellow passenger vans.
Source: Blade Runner
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Updated Entry: Esper
Research
09.13.2019
Research Entry 034 / Esper
The entry has been updated to accommodate additional photos and info from Tom Southwell, sharing a look at the original Esper logo presentation, and the source of his inspiration for the lettering.
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New Entry: Tyrell Corp
Research
09.09.2019
Research Entry 035 / Tyrell Corp
The Tyrell Corporation is a high-tech firm primarily involved in the design and production of genetically engineered biological androids known as Replicants, which are sold as slave laborers and soldiers in the Off-world colonies. The company is based in Los Angeles, and named after its founder and CEO, Dr. Eldon Tyrell.
Source: Blade Runner
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Updated Entry: Esper
Research
08.28.2019
Research Entry 034 / Esper
Tom Southwell clued me in to a few things, regarding the Esper's ties to ESP and the mind, and an additional fun fact about how the "esp" part of the logo has found a new life outside of Blade Runner.
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Updated Entry: Voight-Kampff
Research
08.28.2019
Research Entry 032 / Voight-Kampff
Tom Southwell provided a note on his design process for the Voight-Kampff logotype, which I've added to that Analysis section.
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Updated Entry: Spinner
Research
08.28.2019
Research Entry 031 / Spinner
After contacting Tom Southwell, he was kind enough to answer my questions, and shared firsthand info and photos regarding his design process and inspiration for the Spinner identity. With all that, I did an extensive rewrite of the entry.
In addition to Southwell's contributions, I've added a bio section for readers to learn more about him and his work, and a section for the Spinner identity's use in official Blade Runner merchandise.
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New Entry: Esper
Research
08.09.2019
Research Entry 034 / Esper
The Esper is a high-density computer with a very powerful three-dimensional resolution capacity and a cryogenic cooling system. The police cars and Deckard's apartment contain small models which can be channeled into the mainframe at police headquarters. Among many functions, the Esper can analyze and enhance photos, enabling investigators to search a room without being there.
Source: Blade Runner
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New Entry: Off-world
Research
08.04.2019
Research Entry 033 / Off-world
The Off-world colonies are corporate-owned space settlements on other planets, for which millions of people have abandoned their overpopulated and polluted homeworld, Earth.
As the airborne billboard ads say, “A new life awaits you in the Off-world colonies. The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure.”
Run by the Shimago-Domínguez Corporation, the colonies are largely built, maintained and secured by genetically engineered Replicant slave laborers and soldiers. Meanwhile, the Off-world is marketed to Earth's remaining human inhabitants as a safe and prosperous alternative to life on a dying planet, where upon arrival, the corporation will gift the new colonist a Replicant slave of their own, to use as they see fit.
Source: Blade Runner
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New Entry: Voight-Kampff
Research
07.28.2019
Research Entry 032 / Voight-Kampff
The Voight-Kampff test, also referred to as the V-K, was an interrogation procedure used by special police officers known as Blade Runners, to determine if a suspect was human or Replicant. The test involved the use of a V-K machine, which measured involuntary empathic responses in the test subject — specific changes in respiration, blush response, heart rate and eye movement — as the Blade Runner posed prescribed scenarios and questions.
Source: Blade Runner