[EricH]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Magic Smoke is what makes electrical devices work. It's put inside them when they are manufactured. If it ever escapes, the device stops working.

This is similar to the Magic Noise which makes mechanical devices work. If too much noise comes out of something like a planetary gearbox, it too stops working.

Actually, there are two types of magic smoke. Magic White smoke winds up in all the electronics, and Magic Black is in anything non-electronic, along with the Magic Noise. If you release the Magic Black, grab the phone and call the Fire Department if there is no fire extinguisher available.

(And then there are the stress sensors--too much stress on you and something stops working. Built in for all electronics; available as an upgrade for mechanical items.)