The lightsaber sound originated in Star Wars in 1977, created by sound designer Ben Burtt by combining a film projector motor hum with television interference buzz. Clashes were layered with additional electrical crackle to sell blades of pure energy striking each other. As the films spread into games, fan films and memes, short isolated clash hits became a staple sound effect online, reused whenever creators need an instantly recognizable sci-fi duel moment without using dialogue or music from the films.