An object dubbed the invisible ray torch is a powerful device in the guise of an ordinary pocket light that projected a pink beam that turned things invisible to the human eye. The projected beam alters the focal point of the object it is projected on, resulting in the human mind being unable to recognise the object after the beam has passed. Ultimately, the device is useless as there is no way to undo its effects, making the transformation permanent.
While scientists around the world had been trying for a long time to invent such a device, it would be Brains that finally created the first known working model, in order to be secretly sent to Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward by International Rescue as a test to see if she was worthy enough to join their organisation. It played a vital part in Lady Penelope's comic adventure The Vanishing Ray.
Background[]
Lady Penelope receiving and testing the ray
When Penelope received it in the post at her home Creighton-Ward Mansion, both she and Parker were amazed on how powerful it was when it made a table and then a tea tray disappear. The package that contained the torch had no return address so Penelope had no idea who sent it to her.
Unfortunately, the ray also attracted the attention of the British Secret Service and dangerous criminal the Hood who had been notified by an unknown informant and now both wanted to obtain it at all costs. The British Secret Service wanted it so it would not fall into the wrong hands and be used against Britain, and the Hood wanted it as he saw it as the perfect cover to learn the world's top secrets.
The first attempt to take the ray from Penelope is made by Steel, a British Secret Service agent, but Parker using his past skills as an expert pick-pocket, steals it back. Then the Hood arrives and makes an attempt to grab the ray himself, but is tricked by Penelope who switched it for an ordinary flashlight.
Knowing how dangerous the torch would now be if it was stolen, Penelope hides it in a secret floor safe.
Penelope and Parker analyzing the ray
Further attempts by both the Hood and MI.5 are made to obtain the torch, but all fail. One Morning, her ladyship and Parker analyze the ray torch in detail, finding its components were made by someone of "superior intelligence", who in turn sent it to her, but Penelope is still confused as to why the ray was sent to her in the first place.
Suddenly her friend Jeff Tracy comes to visit along with Brains who explains about the ray and how they tested her. She was meant to hold onto the ray in spite of the both the Hood and MI.5 being on her back and won the test in flying colours, becoming one of their field agents in London. However the ray itself was useless as Brains never worked out how to reverse its beam.
Penelope using the ray at MI.5 headquarters
Later after an idea from Jeff, Penelope takes the ray to the British Secret Service and goes to see the Head. On the table is a file with enough evidence to send Penelope to prison for hoodwinking MI.5. Penelope then used the ray on it, effectively destroying the single-copy file. She then leaves the ray with the astonished head and leaves.