"So we built a machine powerful enough to big-bang a new Speed Force into existence based solely on the teachings of history's most evil speedster. Are we sure we wanna hit this switch?"
The artificial Speed Force machine is a machine that was built by Team Flash in an attempt to create an artificial Speed Force. It was later shut down by Barry Allen due the damage and problems it was causing him. The machine was used one more time to restore the original Speed Force back into existence through the love between Barry and Iris West-Allen, along with the love between others.
Barry, Cisco, and Ralph about to activate the artificial Speed Force machine
Using this knowledge, Cisco Ramon helped create the machine, which Barry was eager to test as his speed was running out. Cisco, Barry and Ralph Dibny watched as the machine was activated and, while it seemed to be working at first, it ultimately stopped without doing anything important.[2]
While Barry continued to work on the machine, he talked with Allegra Garcia when Godspeed attacked them. However, after an encounter with Godspeed, Cisco realized that the missing element that they needed in order to successfully create an artificial Speed Force is in Atlantis, so he traveled there to get it.[3]
Nash helps Barry regain his speed.
During Cisco's absence, Eva McCulloch started targeting Black Hole, leading Barry to become more frantic in getting the new Speed Force up and running. With the help of Allegra, Nash and Chester, they were able to create the artificial Speed Force, though it cost them Nash and the other Wells' in the process.[4] It also created the original Harrison Wells; there was also a version of the machine in the Mirrorverse. After Barry saw what his new speed thinking ability had done to him, because of what he did to his friends, he threw a lightning bolt at the machine to damage it, destroying the artificial Speed Force.[5]
Iris and Kamilla in the Mirrorverse's version of the machine.
Later, the Team Flash managed to use the machine to restore the original Speed Force back into existence.[6] They also unknowingly created threenewforces in the process.
The Cold Fusion Sphere was a key component to attempt to capture the Black Flame[7]; it was a recalibrated fusion sphere from this machine's core.[8]
Capabilities[]
Functions[]
The machine charges Barry.
Gravity distortion: Similar to how the particle accelerator (among other things) is able to alter the gravity around it, the machine was able to cause liquids to float upward when activated.[2]
Lightning generation: The machine is able to generate lightning and recharge Barry's Speed Force energy.
Speed Force generation: The machine could generate an artificial version of the Speed Force, and was later used to rebirth the original Speed Force using an organic source (Iris' cells) rather than an artificial one (the machine's core).
While not directly stated, because the heroes of Earth-1, Earth-38 and Earth-TUD5 all believe that Earth-Prime is the only parallel universe in existence, the success of this machine could presumably help restore the powers of every speedster in the multiverse.
When Barry is given power by this machine, he gives off an incredibly large amount of lightning, in comparison to the sparse lightning from the original/natural Speed Force.
The speed-thinking ability that Barry gains from this machine is reminiscent of Harry Wells' use of the Thinking Cap, in that they both gained an intelligence boost but doing so ultimately does more harm than good.
Behind the scenes[]
The colors of the machine, orange and green, are a nod to Flash's rogue Mirror Master, whose comic book suit sports the same color scheme. In addition, the machine was built to defeat Eva McCulloch at the time, a gender-bent version of the second Mirror Master, further cementing the reference as intentional.
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