Emotional amplifier

Emotional amplifiers were devices capable of detecting emotions and amplifying them over distances. Owen Harper compared them to mobile phones which transmitted emotions rather than sounds.

Design
The amplifiers were deep-lavender metallic objects, the size of paperback books, but ovoid in shape. They were criss-crossed with raised ribbons of metal, which broadened out at random intervals to encircle two buttons. At the broad end, they had three irregular holes. The narrower end of the amplifiers was different in texture, like ceramic, but the same colour of lavender.

The colour and curvature reminded Toshiko of Japanese art, with the surface incised with pattern like formal calligraphy. The colour reminded her of Hokusai etchings.

The inner circuitry produced an emotional amplification effect, capable of transmitting emotions including hunger. It contained a picture within the circuitry of a face, although this was merely incidental to the primary function. There were also symbols incised into the circuitry. (PROSE: Slow Decay)

Origin
It was theorised by Owen Harper that they might be used by an alien race which communicated via a short-range empathic sense. The amplifiers were built with artistry and care. To this species, art was more important than power conservation.

The face within the circuitry was differently proportioned to that of a human, more closely resembling a hammerhead shark. It had two eyes placed at the extremes of the head with a slit in the middle of the face. (PROSE: Slow Decay)

History
A batch of amplifiers arrived on Earth in the 1950s. They were gathered, and some confiscated, from various places around South Wales and placed within the Archive of Torchwood Three. One even made it as far away as London, where it was archived by Torchwood One.

In the mid 2000s, an amplifier was found on the body of Craig Sutherland after the deaths of five students at a nightclub off St Mary Street. (PROSE: Slow Decay)