The Star Wars blaster sound dates back to the original 1977 film, where sound designer Ben Burtt built the saga's arsenal from real-world recordings. The famous laser blast came from striking a taut radio tower guy-wire with a hammer, giving it that sharp twang and rapid decay. It has since echoed through every Star Wars movie, game and animated series, becoming one of cinema's most imitated effects. Online, the isolated pew is a staple of meme edits, gaming clips and fan films that want instant sci-fi recognition.