Transmogrifier

A transmogrifier is a fictional device used for transforming one object into another object. Though the word "transmogrifier" was coined by Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes, its parent words, "transmogrify" and "transmogrification", existed previously, though their exact origins are unknown. Transmogrifiers have also been used in other productions. The transmogrifier is a fictional device invented by Calvin of Bill Watterson's comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. It is capable of transmogrify any object into any other object. The first transmogrifier Calvin invents consists of an upside-down cardboard box (first appeared March 23, 1987) with the word "transmogrifier" handwritten on the side in marker. A dial on the side of the box may be pointed towards one of several settings, also marked on the box in marker. More settings can be added by simply writing them around the dial. A button initiates the transmogrification process, turning the thing under the box into whatever is indicated... full article at wikipedia