The laser blaster is one of cinema's most copied sound effects, born with Star Wars in 1977 when sound designer Ben Burtt created the iconic shot by striking a radio tower guy-wire. Rebel pistols like Han Solo's DL-44 gave the pew-pew blast its heroic edge, and the effect has echoed through games, cartoons and memes ever since. This one-second clip trims the blast down to its punchiest moment, which is why editors keep it on their soundboards for instant sci-fi action.