Sonic Screwdriver

the sonic screwdriver was a phallic symbol used by various doctors

**The First Doctor's Screwdriver**

While **Hartnell**'s screwdriver was never shown on screen, it isn't necessarily accurate to assume that he didn't have one. Indeed, while he didn't recognize **Capaldi**'s screwdriver when it was shown to him, the novel **Venusian Lullaby** reveals that he did infact have one. It was apparently "a small, metal rod similar to a penlight", and it is perhaps due to the relatively simple and unimpressive nature of Hartnell's screwdriver in comparison to Capaldi's screwdriver (which is quite honestly pretty huge), that he didn't recognize the later incarnation's as being the same thing. Regardless, however, the fact that Hartnell only used his screwdriver once in-canon (offscreen, at that) indicates that unlike future doctors, he was not overly reliant upon it and it didn't factor into his adventures very much at all. One can imagine, however, that the age of this incarnation might have had something to do with this fact, with it being entirely possible that a younger Hartnell used his screwdriver far more frequently, especially given (according to **Russel T. Davies**) the **BBC** at one point considered making a show about the young first doctor which would have included the creation and first usage of Hartnell's screwdriver. RTD however vetoed this idea as he didn't think that was something that should ever be shown on televison.

**The Second Doctor's Screwdriver**

As for **Troughton**, while he was only shown brandishing his screwdriver onscreen in a few choice instances (the footage of the first instance of which is sadly lost to time), we do know that he was the first doctor to use one with semi-frequency throughout his adventures, particularly during the time that **Zoe** was traveling with him. While his screwdriver changed appearance slightly from use to use, it was generally a long, thin, metal rod similar to Hartnell's, but with a slightly more bulbous end.

**The Third Doctor's Screwdriver**

It wasn't until the **Pertwee** era that the sonic screwdriver truly began to be seen a lot, and used as a means to solve the doctor's problems. It's also worth noting that Pertwee's screwdriver was huge compared to his predecessors', and much more visually stimulating to look at. And while he lost it on one occasion when it was taken from him, he soon replaced it with an identical screwdriver that he had in the **TARDIS**, indicating that Pertwee without his screwdriver was not something that would be allowed to continue for long. The decision to use his screwdriver so much more during this incarnation fits with Pertwee's much more action-based and charismatic doctor; opposed to Troughton and Hartnell's much more subdued, quiet incarnations.

**The Fourth Doctor's Screwdriver**

Perhaps unsurprisingly due to the length of his tenure, **Tom Baker** was the classic Doctor who used his screwdriver the most on-screen. Despite this, his screwdriver remained the same as Pertwee's, with the same width, length, and semi-decorative styling. It was also during his tenure that he first permitted companions to touch and use his screwdriver, with **Harry Sullivan** being the first to do so on screen; and **Sarah Jane** later being allowed to hold it as well. Also of note is the fact that **Nardole** held the Fourth Doctor's sonic at least once.

**The Fifth Doctor's Screwdriver**

When **Davison** lost his sonic, he mourned it like the death of an old friend, to use his own words (indeed, it's destruction was probably the most emotional loss **Davison's Doctor** went through). It's quite possible this symbolized how his doctor was less masculine and romantic than his predecessor, and how his personality was not as testosterone driven as either of the previous two doctors.

**The Sixth Doctor's Screwdriver**

While **Colin's Doctor** did supposedly have a sonic screwdriver (as it's mentioned in the novelization of **The Nightmare Fair** and appears in the audio version of **The Ultimate Adventure**), it was hardly ever used and was instead replaced by the sonic lance. In a way, this change can be seen as a parallel to the change in the Doctor's own nature, as he becomes more violent and rough in nature than before, thusly necessitating a more violent tool. None the less, it could be used to heal as the doctor did use his lance on **Peri** for just this purpose at least once. At the same time however, Colin's sonic lance only appears onscreen once, in contrast to how previous doctor's screwdrivers would be put on display for all to see quite frequently (too frequently, many would say).

**The Seventh Doctor's Screwdriver**

How **McCoy** acquired his screwdriver is a matter of debate, with many contradictory origins being given to it. Suffice it to say, regardless of how it was created or when, it had the same large appearance and length of Pertwee's, Tom's, and Davison's. None the less, it only appeared onscreen once, at the conclusion of McCoy's tenure, where it is eventually stolen and fondled by **Chang Lee**. Indeed, for most of his tenure McCoy simply carried a long and wide umbrella cane which had no special properties and could not perform in any way. To an extent, however, this is rather in keeping with his doctor's personality of being a master manipulator who enjoys using words to get things done, and indeed **Ace**'s frequent creation and usage of small explosives meant that the screwdriver was never truly needed.

**The Eighth Doctor's Screwdriver**

Chang Lee later returned the doctor's screwdriver to **McGann**, who used this same model for a long time, and seemed to be rather fond of it. Even during one of his many instances of amnesia, **McGann's Doctor** still remembered how to use his screwdriver properly. Indeed, he even went so far as to say on one occasion that he felt undressed without his screwdriver, and on anothering occasion used his screwdriver to destroy a **Dalek**'s brain, simply by rubbing it along the side of the Dalek's casing. Later on, however, this screwdriver was seemingly destroyed by the **Cybermen**, leading to his adoption of a second screwdriver, this one completely unique to him. This second screwdriver was long, thick, and wooden; with a large blue head. And whilst he didn't use it much prior to the Cybermen destroying his first one, the first recorded instance of McGann's unique screwdriver being used was while he was still in the company of **Charley Pollard**. At some point prior to his death, however, he returned to using the standard thick, metallic screwdriver that his predecessors had used and loved so tenderly.

**The War Doctor's Screwdriver**

During **Hurt**'s short tenure as the Doctor, he was seen brandishing his own special screwdriver that was thin and short, somewhere between the sizes of Pertwee's and Hartnell's. None the less, he generally seems to have preffered to use large guns instead of his screwdriver, possibly to compensate for the inadequacies of his favourite tool, when thrust into the context of wartime.

**The Ninth Doctor's Screwdriver**

During **Eccleston**'s tenure, he promptly caused Hurt's screwdriver to explode, and replaced it with his own slightly longer model, with a much more rounded head at the end. The first onscreen usage of this screwdriver was in the presence of **Rose Tyler**, and indeed he allowed Rose herself to use it later as well, in addition to allowing **Jack Harkness** to use it at least once (Jack was also quite fond of pulling out his sonic banana to show everyone).

**The Tenth Doctor's Screwdriver**

Indeed, even when Eccleston died, **Tennant** continued to use his predecessors screwdriver, perhaps because of the continued presence of Rose. One notable change that Tennant brought, however, was that his screwdriver was able to extend a noticeable amount more than Eccleston's; making it a clear improvement on the former model. This version was kept for the duration of his tenure, and it's possible Tennant got more use out of his screwdriver than any other doctor before him (with the possible exception of McGann). Indeed, he used it hundreds of time onscreen alone, throughout his many travels, and like Eccleston allowed Rose to make use of it freely.

**The Eleven Doctor's Screwdriver**

Now, while **Smith** is generally seen as a rather goofy and childish Doctor, he's actually the Doctor who's gotten the most use out of his screwdriver, having used it hundreds of times onscreen; and letting both **Amy** and **Clara** hold and use it. Also worth mentioning is that Smith's screwdriver was super massive, even compared to his predecessors'.

**The Twelfth Doctor's Screwdriver**

In **Series 8 Capaldi** still uses Smith's because he's questioning his own ability as a Doctor and feels like an inadequate successor to Smith, hence why he stagnated and indeed regressed to using Smith's. In S**eries 9** he has abandoned the screwdriver entirely, finally accepting the change in his role and indeed, his very persona. However, he finally gets his own unique sonic right before **River**'s arrival, as their relationship reawakens something dormant in him that he no longer thought himself capable of. He then maintains his sonic for the remainder of his tenure and indeed even keeps some of his older sonics out in the open on his desk, symbolizing how, by first accepting his own sonic, he has now been able to accept and become comfortable with all of his previous ones, looking back on them fondly, but not feeling indebted to them or inadequate in comparison. At the end of his life the screwdriver as a part of the Doctor's life reached its highest point, as his final battle culminated with Capaldi using his screwdriver dozens of times to blow the **Cybermen** away and, at the final climactic moment, his screwdriver caused such a huge explosion that it destroyed the Cybermen completely and effectively killed him as well; the exertion perhaps having proven too much for his older wizened body.

**The Thirteenth Doctor's Screwdriver**

**Whitaker** has no screwdriver because she is woman. (Instead, she only has a little screwdriver shaped thing that she made herself, to provide assistance when her companions are not able to perform tasks for her.)