The Telos Insert

Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Light
The light at the end of insertable component glows orange once it is inserted into the Telos box. It then blinks at the pace of once a second. This photograph was captured seconds after the component’s removal from the Ark – before the light dimmed.
Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Light
The light at the end of insertable component glows orange once it is inserted into the Telos box. It then blinks at the pace of once a second. This photograph was captured seconds after the component’s removal from the Ark – before the light dimmed.
Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Light
The light at the end of insertable component glows orange once it is inserted into the Telos box. It then blinks at the pace of once a second. This photograph was captured seconds after the component’s removal from the Ark – before the light dimmed.

Telos insert
3” x 1” diameter (7.62 cm x 2.54 cm diameter)

The Telos box’s insertable component appears to fuel – or at the very least activate – the box.a The component is inserted through a hole in the Ark’s exterior wall and screwed into a chamber in the Telos box itself. Once inserted, the component’s orange light blinks at a continuous rate, indicating that the box has been powered or activated.

At the tip of the insert is a laboratory-grown phenakite-like crystal that has been treated with a clear conductive material.b Two copper wires, affixed to the sides of the crystal, run into the insert’s housing. Once inserted into the Ark, the crystal makes connection with a receptacle within. The fragility of the crystal and wire tip’s design has lead scholars to believe the insert is typically left inserted.b

As with the Telos box itself, researchers have never been able to fully explain the mechanism of action of the insertable component – though theories abound.c,d

a Johannsen JW. Transport is Arranged: Understanding Ark Technology. Liminal. 2010. 7(12);215-222.
b Staed R, Unrigg KL, and Ramirez M, et al. Chemical Makeup of Ark Crystals. J of Ark Chem. 2002. 5(11);1284-1299.
c Harwood, UP and Elkay W. Driving Force: Unlocking the Ark-Box Components. Arks and Tech. 2004. 10(4);279-286.
d Isaacs J. The Force Fallacy [letter]. Arks and Tech. 2004. 10(5);328.

Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Crystal
The crystal at the insert’s tip has the same chemical makeup as phenakite, though slight differences in its molecular structure from the naturally formed crystal lead researchers to assume that the one seen here was grown in a laboratory. The crystal has been coated with a clear conductive substance.
2
Warning Icon
As with the Telos box, the insertable component carries a warning regarding a risk of discharge. No such discharge has ever been detected by researchers.
3
O-ring
A rubber O-ring provides an water- and airtight seal once the insert is screwed into the Telos box.
Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Crystal
The crystal at the insert’s tip has the same chemical makeup as phenakite, though slight differences in its molecular structure from the naturally formed crystal lead researchers to assume that the one seen here was grown in a laboratory. The crystal has been coated with a clear conductive substance.
2
Warning Icon
As with the Telos box, the insertable component carries a warning regarding a risk of discharge. No such discharge has ever been detected by researchers.
3
O-ring
A rubber O-ring provides an water- and airtight seal once the insert is screwed into the Telos box.
Insert from the Telos box found in the Jarndyke Ark
1
Crystal
The crystal at the insert’s tip has the same chemical makeup as phenakite, though slight differences in its molecular structure from the naturally formed crystal lead researchers to assume that the one seen here was grown in a laboratory. The crystal has been coated with a clear conductive substance.
2
Warning Icon
As with the Telos box, the insertable component carries a warning regarding a risk of discharge. No such discharge has ever been detected by researchers.
3
O-ring
A rubber O-ring provides an water- and airtight seal once the insert is screwed into the Telos box.

Telos insert
3” x 1” diameter (7.62 cm x 2.54 cm diameter)