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[[Image:Self-sealing stem bolt 2.jpg|thumb|A self-sealing stem bolt]]
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[[File:Self-sealing stem bolt 2.jpg|thumb|A self-sealing stem bolt]]
[[Image:Self-sealing stem bolt 1.jpg|thumb|Self-sealing stem bolts in their packaging]]
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[[File:Self-sealing stem bolt 1.jpg|thumb|Self-sealing stem bolts in their packaging]]
'''Self-sealing stem bolts''' are mysterious devices of unknown use and origin. The field of application of the self-sealing stem bolts is shrouded in mystery; not even [[Miles O'Brien]], who otherwise can fix anything, knew what they were for. ({{DS9|Progress}})
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'''Self-sealing stem bolts''' were, as their name suggested, [[stem bolt]]s that sealed themselves. The field of application of the self-sealing stem bolts is unclear; even [[Miles O'Brien]], the [[Chief of Operations]] on [[Deep Space 9]], was unaware of their exact use. ({{DS9|Progress}})
   
In [[2369]], [[Jake Sisko]] and [[Nog]] traded 5,000 [[wrappage]]s of [[Cardassian]] [[yamok sauce]] for 100 gross self-sealing stem bolts, to a [[Lissepian]] [[freighter]] [[captain]]. ({{DS9|Progress}})
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In [[2369]], [[Jake Sisko]] and [[Nog]] traded 5,000 [[wrappage]]s of [[Cardassian]] [[yamok sauce]] for 100 [[gross]] self-sealing stem bolts, to a [[Lissepian]] [[freighter]] [[captain]]. Jake and Nog opened communications with the original buyer of the stem bolts, under the name "The [[Noh-Jay Consortium]]" but eventually settled with a trade of seven [[tessipate]]s of land on [[Bajor]]. Nog was skeptical and preferred to stick to the bolts; Jake told Nog that on land one can build things, to which Nog replied that you can't build anything without bolts. ({{DS9|Progress}})
   
In [[2371]], an opportunity presented itself to [[Quark]] to get rid of the stash of self-sealing stem bolts sitting in [[cargo bay|Cargo Bay 11]]. He offered them to a wealthy prospective buyer named [[Emi]] for ten bars of gold-pressed [[latinum]]. Emi claimed that with the stem bolts, her family would be able to triple production of [[reverse-ratcheting routing planer]]s. ({{DS9|Prophet Motive}})
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In [[2371]], an opportunity presented itself to [[Quark]] to get rid of the stash of self-sealing stem bolts sitting in [[cargo bay|Cargo Bay 11]]. He offered them to a wealthy prospective buyer named [[Emi]] for ten bars of gold-pressed [[latinum]]. Emi claimed that with the stem bolts, her family would be able to triple production of [[reverse-ratcheting routing planer]]s. Emi, however, was told by [[Grand Nagus]] [[Zek]] where she could get the bolts at [[wholesale]], for a much reduced price. ({{DS9|Prophet Motive}})
   
 
While in captivity by the [[Jem'Hadar]], [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] suggested a discovered escape tool might be either a self-sealing stem bolt or a reverse ratcheting router. ({{DS9|By Inferno's Light}})
 
While in captivity by the [[Jem'Hadar]], [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] suggested a discovered escape tool might be either a self-sealing stem bolt or a reverse ratcheting router. ({{DS9|By Inferno's Light}})
   
 
In late [[2375]], O'Brien explained his reasons to [[doctor|Dr.]] [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] for taking a teaching post at [[Starfleet Academy]], he quipped "''somebody has to teach you officers the difference between a [[warp matrix]] [[flux capacitor]] and a self-sealing stem bolt''" ({{DS9|What You Leave Behind}}).
When the [[USS Defiant|''Defiant'']] returned from escorting a convoy, [[Worf]] complained that warriors should be doing "great deeds" and not guarding "shipments of stem bolts". ({{DS9|Image in the Sand}})
 
   
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{{bginfo|Story-wise, stem bolts were quintessential {{w|MacGuffin}}s, with a name that was pure [[technobabble]]. [[Peter Allan Fields]], who 'invented' them, admitted that he didn't have "the foggiest idea" what they were used for. According to [[Ira Steven Behr]], the writing staff used them long after Fields' departure from the series as a tribute to the former producer. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'', p. 52)|A prop self-sealing stem bolt was sold at the [[40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection]] auction. It was Lot #418 and sold for US$2,040, after being estimated to go for only 200 to 300 dollars. ''[http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=23218]}}
Apparently by late 2375, O'Brien ''did'' know what a self-sealing stem bolt was. When explaining his reasons to Dr. [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] for taking a teaching post at [[Starfleet Academy]], he quipped "''somebody has to teach you officers the difference between a warp matrix [[flux capacitor]] and a self-sealing stem bolt''" ({{DS9|What You Leave Behind}}).
 
 
===See also===
 
* [[Stem bolt]]
 
 
== Background information ==
 
Whenever something is (seemingly) useless, a metaphor or simile that includes self-sealing stem bolts might be in order. They seem to be a satire of Trek's own technobabble. They are also a sort of [[wikipedia:MacGuffin|MacGuffin]] device, in that they are something that plays a role in advancing a story, but their nature is a mystery and they bear little to no relevance to the situation they are involved in. More precicely one might say they are the [[wikipedia:Widget|Widget]] of the 24th century
 
 
A prop self-sealing stem bolt was sold at the [[40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection]] auction. It was Lot #418 and sold for US$2,040, after being estimated to go for only 200 to 300 dollars. [http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=23218]
 
   
 
==External link==
 
==External link==
*{{nCwiki}}
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* {{NCwiki}}
   
 
[[de:Selbstdichtender Schaftbolzen]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[de:Selbstdichtender Schaftbolzen]]
 

Revision as of 10:03, 3 November 2014

Self-sealing stem bolt 2

A self-sealing stem bolt

Self-sealing stem bolt 1

Self-sealing stem bolts in their packaging

Self-sealing stem bolts were, as their name suggested, stem bolts that sealed themselves. The field of application of the self-sealing stem bolts is unclear; even Miles O'Brien, the Chief of Operations on Deep Space 9, was unaware of their exact use. (DS9: "Progress")

In 2369, Jake Sisko and Nog traded 5,000 wrappages of Cardassian yamok sauce for 100 gross self-sealing stem bolts, to a Lissepian freighter captain. Jake and Nog opened communications with the original buyer of the stem bolts, under the name "The Noh-Jay Consortium" but eventually settled with a trade of seven tessipates of land on Bajor. Nog was skeptical and preferred to stick to the bolts; Jake told Nog that on land one can build things, to which Nog replied that you can't build anything without bolts. (DS9: "Progress")

In 2371, an opportunity presented itself to Quark to get rid of the stash of self-sealing stem bolts sitting in Cargo Bay 11. He offered them to a wealthy prospective buyer named Emi for ten bars of gold-pressed latinum. Emi claimed that with the stem bolts, her family would be able to triple production of reverse-ratcheting routing planers. Emi, however, was told by Grand Nagus Zek where she could get the bolts at wholesale, for a much reduced price. (DS9: "Prophet Motive")

While in captivity by the Jem'Hadar, Bashir suggested a discovered escape tool might be either a self-sealing stem bolt or a reverse ratcheting router. (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")

In late 2375, O'Brien explained his reasons to Dr. Bashir for taking a teaching post at Starfleet Academy, he quipped "somebody has to teach you officers the difference between a warp matrix flux capacitor and a self-sealing stem bolt" (DS9: "What You Leave Behind").

Story-wise, stem bolts were quintessential MacGuffins, with a name that was pure technobabble. Peter Allan Fields, who 'invented' them, admitted that he didn't have "the foggiest idea" what they were used for. According to Ira Steven Behr, the writing staff used them long after Fields' departure from the series as a tribute to the former producer. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 52)

External link

  • Template:NCwiki