20 TV Shows With Prop Departments Building Functional Gadgets

Creating believable fictional worlds for television often depends on the skill of prop masters and the objects they create. Although visual effects are common, many shows also feature real, working gadgets built by prop departments – everything from sophisticated robots to electronic devices actors can actually use while filming. Here’s a look at some shows where the prop teams went above and beyond to build functional technology.

‘MythBusters’ (2003–2016)

This show centered around a team building real, working devices to investigate popular urban legends. Led by Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, the team engineered everything from fast cars to complex mechanical setups. The show’s creators often had to design and build completely new machines, just to recreate moments from movies or history. Every gadget featured on the show was a fully functional, robust prototype built to handle extreme conditions.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–Present)

As a fan, it was amazing to learn how much practical work went into bringing Grogu and IG-11 to life! For Grogu, Legacy Effects built this incredible animatronic puppet – it wasn’t just a prop, it was a fully functioning character that took multiple people to control. They even had motors for his ears and eyes so he could make really subtle expressions on set. The filmmakers wanted the actors to have something real to interact with, instead of just relying on CGI. And that same dedication to building things for real was also used for IG-11, with a lot of complex mechanical work going into making him move.

‘Star Trek’ (1966–1969)

Wah Chang created the famous communicator seen in the show, with a flip-open antenna that looks a lot like the design of today’s flip phones. The show’s prop team also made the tricorders appear to scan by including a spinning mechanism inside. These handheld devices used gears and basic lights to create the impression of advanced technology. This practical design helped the actors realistically use the equipment while filming scenes on different planets.

‘Fallout’ (2024–Present)

The filmmakers built impressive, wearable power armor suits that allowed actors to move freely during filming. They also crafted a realistic Pip-Boy prop with a functioning screen that displayed maps and information. This commitment to detail meant the actors frequently reacted to real objects instead of relying on visual effects. These physical props made the show’s futuristic, post-apocalyptic world feel more believable and immersive.

‘Knight Rider’ (1982–1986)

As a huge fan of the show, I always loved how realistic KITT looked! The dashboard wasn’t just for show – it was packed with working lights and old-school CRT screens. The prop team went the extra mile, wiring up all these functional buttons so the actor could actually control the car’s lights. Honestly, all that tech inside made KITT feel like a real character. And of course, that iconic red scanner bar on the front wasn’t just a cool visual effect; it was a working light that became the show’s signature look. It really brought the car to life!

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

The final scene of the series included a custom-built, remote-controlled machine gun turret. Special effects experts created a system that allowed the gun to move and fire blanks. Bryan Cranston’s character used this homemade device to get revenge on a group of neo-Nazis, showcasing his cleverness and skill with mechanics.

‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present)

The Daleks aren’t robots – they’re actually shells operated from the inside by someone who controls their movements. Over the years, different versions of the sonic screwdriver have been made with lights and extending parts to look more realistic on TV. K-9 was a remote-controlled prop that could move around and even extend a sensor when interacting with the actors. Because the show has been on for so long, the art department has created a lot of working alien technology over the decades.

‘Mr. Robot’ (2015–2019)

During filming, Rami Malek and the actors actually used working computers and real code for the hacking scenes. The filmmakers were dedicated to getting the technical details right, so the computer screens showed genuine Linux commands instead of fake-looking code. Many of the gadgets used – like those for copying keycards or blocking signals – were built using designs based on real technology. This focus on realism meant the prop master had to find and customize actual, working tech equipment.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

For close-up shots of the Demogorgon, the creators of the show commissioned a realistic, moving animatronic head. The prop team also constructed the large Russian laser drill, complete with spinning parts and working lights. They even built a fully functional ham radio tower, nicknamed Cerebro, that could hold up to the demands of outdoor filming. These physical props and builds were key to capturing the 1980s feel of the series.

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

The Tannhaus device, used for time travel in the story, was a detailed prop made of brass. It had many small, moving parts – gears and cylinders – that spun to life when the characters used it. The art department intentionally designed it to resemble a complex clockwork invention from the 1800s. This realistic, physical detail helped make the complicated science fiction story feel more believable and impactful.

‘Batman’ (1966–1968)

Adam West’s Batman utility belt wasn’t just for show – it had large compartments filled with real props. The Batphone, placed on Commissioner Gordon’s desk, was a fully working model with a bright red light. And the iconic Batmobile was a heavily modified Lincoln Futura, complete with a functional rocket exhaust. These gadgets weren’t created with special effects; they used real stagecraft and pyrotechnics to capture the feel of the comic books the show was based on.

‘BattleBots’ (2000–Present)

The show features robots built by engineering teams that are designed to battle each other. These remote-controlled machines are equipped with working weapons like spinning blades and powerful flippers. The arena itself is filled with dangerous obstacles, such as moving saws and crushers, that are used during the fights. The destruction of these robots is filmed live, without any added special effects.

‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)

As a film fan, I always loved the Stargate set piece! It wasn’t just for show, you know. The actual Stargate ring was huge – about twenty-two feet across – and it really worked. They built in a motor that physically spun the glyphs when the characters dialed a planet. It was incredible! The prop team even linked the spinning to the lights, so it looked like a wormhole was actually opening. That practical effect was amazing because the actors could genuinely react to the movement and sound of this massive, rotating device. It made everything feel so much more real.

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

The data refinement terminals were specially made computers with old-fashioned, yet stylish, CRT screens. The keyboards had a distinct, mechanical design that the actors used while filming. A unique trackball was created as the main way to interact with the software. The physical feel of the workstation was important for showing how monotonous the work environment was.

‘MacGyver’ (1985–1992)

Richard Dean Anderson’s character frequently built gadgets rooted in actual science. The props team designed these devices to look like they were made from everyday objects, but cleverly concealed working parts inside. When explosions or chemical reactions were needed, they were usually done with real effects to show how the character’s quick thinking worked. The show was known for making these inventions seem believable, even if they happened a little faster than possible.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

The show used cutting-edge 3D printing to make the white robot bodies seen throughout the labs. The tablets the actors used were specially made props that actually folded and lit up. In the saloon, the pianos played by themselves, programmed with specific songs. These working props created a sense that the park’s advanced technology was seamlessly integrated into its historical setting.

‘Get Smart’ (1965–1970)

The shoe phone, a memorable prop from the show, actually worked as a phone with its transmitter and receiver built into the heel. To perform the famous gag, Don Adams had to physically hold the shoe up to his ear and mouth. The prop team made several versions, including one with a hidden rotary dial. This humorous device became one of the most iconic gadgets ever seen on a television spy show.

‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)

The hand props used on the Rocinante looked like see-through devices with glowing edges. The actors’ spacesuits had working LED screens and fans to keep them comfortable. While the magnetic boots were created with clever stagecraft, the suit’s lights were real and built into the costumes. This focus on realistic technology in the wardrobe helped create the show’s believable and rough-around-the-edges space world.

‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (2013–2020)

The team created the ‘Night-Night’ gun, which shot harmless, but effective, toxin rounds. Coulson’s robotic hand was a carefully made prop with parts that could be switched out depending on the mission. The containment modules weren’t just for show – they were fully functional sets with working doors and lights. These realistic props and sets helped make the technology in the Marvel universe feel believable and real.

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

The computer used at the Swan station was an original Apple II Plus, and the actors really typed on it to input the numbers. The countdown clock was a working, old-fashioned flip-digit display that the crew had to reset by hand before each take. The Dharma Initiative films were shown using actual projectors found on the set. These authentic, vintage electronics played a key role in creating the island’s mysterious atmosphere.

Tell us which TV show gadget you wish you could own in the comments.

2025-12-11 18:47