You don’t need a massive budget and splashy special effects to create an iconic prop. Via No Film School:

The most innovative solutions often come from limitations. There is never enough time and never enough money for any production in all of production history, this can be a hindrance, or it can be a creative opportunity. The story behind the scratch-build of one of cinema’s most iconic props is an inspiration that wherever you are and whatever surrounds you could be the source of your next great idea.

Yep. Lightsaber props started with Graflex flashguns. If you’re wondering what those are like in action, just picture an old movie scene where someone takes a picture and the big flash goes off. That’s what the flash gun on the side of the camera is doing.

That strange old device became a lightsaber.

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