The History Behind the Lightsaber

If you're reading this, you probably already have a solid understanding of the meaning behind the many lightsaber colors, the powers and limitations of this renowned weapon, and its artistic variations and subtypes. However, not everyone is aware of the lightsaber's extensive history, which has been told to us through a number of legends and tales over the years. Now is a fantastic moment to dig into Star Wars history and find the answer to a straightforward query: Where did the lightsaber originate?

Predecessors of the Lightsaber

As is the case with many great innovations, the lightsaber did not always exist in its current form. It is probable that a number of weapons with comparatively simple designs inspired the eventual creation of the lightsaber, but because of incomplete historical documentation, these forerunners are still mostly unknown.

The force saber, a weapon developed and used by the Rakata thousands of years before the Republic, was one of these early proto-lightsabers. With the help of a unique crystal, the Force Hounds—Rakatan hunters who were in tune with the Force—built these weapons. They were available in a range of hues.

There were several different designs for force sabers, some of which were very similar to the later lightsaber. However, the force saber's link with the dark side was what restricted its power. This implied that the weapon could not be used by members of the Je'daii Order, the Jedi's ancestors, without possibly corrupting them. However, the Je'daii Order found the force saber's core concept appealing.

It is also known that during their trip to Must-afar, the Rebel Alliance members discovered a prototype lightsaber at an Imperial Base that may have belonged to Darth Vader.

Invention of the Lightsaber

The Jedi created the first lightsabers truly worthy of the name, but the Sith and Dark Jedi also adopted them later. These weapons produced the blade using a focusing crystal in the hilt, just like later lightsabers. In contrast to later lightsabers, they relied on a large external power pack that was attached to the hilt via a cable. As a result, the lightsabers were inevitably a little awkward. During the Old Republic Era, these weapons were used in the Hundred-Year Darkness and subsequent conflicts.

As technology advanced, the Sith created lightsaber designs that didn't need a power pack. Lightsaber wielders were now able to maneuver around considerably more freely in combat. The Great Hyperspace War saw the debut of the upgraded Sith lightsaber, and the Jedi quickly embraced the new design.

Since many innovations were made later, it goes without saying that the history of lightsabers does not end here. The more the Star Wars universe is revealed to us, the more lightsabers we will likely see.