Hologram A hologram is an three - dimensional photograph recorded via refracted lasers onto a two - dimensional surface . In the Fallout universe , holograms appear as they do in other works of science fiction , I . E . as three - dimensional volumetric projections of objects and people made of beams of monochromatic light . It is one of the more rare technologies found in the Fallout universe . Background . < section begin = " HologramBackground " / > Holograms were an advanced experimental technology before the Great War , and never achieved the same level of prominence as other forms of technology . Due to the enormous energy requirements for projecting holograms , as well as the cost of materials and manufacturing , holograms were largely unseen by the public eye , existing primarily in top - secret research labs and military facilities . It is believed that hologram technology originally stemmed from Stealth Boy research , in a scientific drive to match Chinese stealth suit technology . One of the earliest hologram prototypes was developed sometime before the Great War at the request of Frederick Sinclair for his project , the Sierra Madre Casino . Under the name " Hologram Project " , they were created in Big MT by the Big MT company at the Z - 38 lightwave dynamics research facility using an enormous laser array . The initial research and development was a success , creating 3 - D human figures , including a replica of Sinclair ' s love , Vera Keyes . Sinclair wanted to take the project one step further : creating holograms with defensive capabilities . Big MT refused due to the cost of such an endeavor . Sinclair then turned to National Electric , who signed an exclusive contract with Sinclair to create . Working from technology already developed in Big MT , they succeeded , creating holographic security guards that could patrol restricted areas and attack intruders via laser beams . Due to the intensive energy requirements , holograms were linked with a nearby hologram emitter , allowing them only a limited area of travel . < section end = " HologramBackground " / > Outside of Big MT and the Sierra Madre , Professor Calvert developed his own hologram projector to communicate with the Point Lookout tribal s in " Point Lookout " , who worshipped him as a god . Vault - Tec also has access to hologram technology in the form of a holographic communications device , capable of projecting one ' s face between two communicators holographic image was used in the Vault prototype and the Secret Vault . Characteristics . < section begin = " HologramCharacteristics " / > All holograms in the Fallout universe appear as bright blue , monochromatic 3 - D projections , often with visible scan lines and " flickering " effects similar to an old CRT monitor . Being made of light , they are intangible , and thus cannot be touched , held or , in the case of security holograms , killed . All holograms require an emitting device to appear . They are used primarily for displaying images for communication and research , although some are used for entertainment as well as security . Service protocol holograms perform a specific function - greeters , simple vendors , or in the case of the Sierra Madre casino itself , even monitoring gambling tables . These service holograms follow simple routines , being little more than robots . They cannot attack , nor will they respond to attacks . In the Sierra Madre , they appear as ordinary humans with neat haircuts and fancy suits . Security protocol holograms are somewhat more sophisticated than Service holograms , capable of providing security to a designated area . Using invisible field - of - view sensors to scan their surroundings , Security holograms can patrol a fixed path and respond to any threats they encounter with swift retaliation . Their memory cells can only perceive the area in a fixed cone in front of them , so two or more holograms are utilised to cover each other ' s blind spots . Once an intruder is detected , Security holograms will turn from blue to yellow in color , indicating that they are aware of the intruder ' s presence . If the trespasser does not leave their line of sight , they will flash red , and attempt to subdue the target with a powerful discharge beam fired from their foreheads . Attacking a security hologram head - on is useless - being made of only light , they cannot be killed , hurt , or even slowed down by conventional weapons . Their only weakness is the hologram emitter they are bound to , and limits the range at which they will pursue their targets . Due to the limited range hologram emitters , they can often be found near guards , after which they can be destroyed with a decent amount of force . Emitters can also be reprogrammed via terminals , either switching holograms to a non - hostile state or shutting them off completely . Security holograms appear as a typical security guard wearing Sierra Madre armor , although some may appear as normal guests ( several holograms in the form of Vera Keyes can be found in the Sierra Madre casino apartments ) . The only way to identify " disguised " security holograms is to approach them and see if they turn yellow . These holograms can also be reprogrammed via terminals . < section end = " HologramCharacteristics " / > Appearances . Holograms appear in " Fallout 3 " add - ons " Point Lookout " and " Mothership Zeta " , in " " " Dead Money " and " Old World Blues " , and in " " . They were also to appear in " Fallout 2 " in the cut location Environmental Protection Agency , and in " Van Buren " , the canceled " Fallout 3 " by Black Isle Studios .