Archie to the rescue...

Without dropping any spoilers...

When we were plotting out one of the big action sequences in The Black Fortress, we needed a gadget for Archie to use to help in the rescue effort. While brainstorming ideas, Eric blurted out, "Wouldn't it be great if we could just give Archie a blowtorch?"

To which Gael responded, "That would fit the scene perfectly, and Archie is always bringing the steampunk, but I can't imagine they had blowtorches in 1877."

Eric wholeheartedly agreed.

By Users Diceman, Anthony Appleyard - Photo taken by Stephen West. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1056478

​Good thing we didn't just leave it there! We took a moment to check it out with a little quick research, and, wow were we surprised! Modern blowtorches date back a hundred years before Jake's time. PERFECT!

​The blowtorch pictured here is what Archie's would have looked like. But how on earth were we to describe the scene as Archie got it burning? We know nothing about blowtorches. YouTube to the rescue. The below video was indispensable in making it sound like we knew what we were talking about, lol, when describing the scene. (How did anyone ever write a book before the internet???)

The details in the video above became the below details in the book. Just a few little touches really brought the scene to life.

Choosing a spot, Archie pulled down his goggles and frantically pumped the pressure handle on his blowtorch. He twisted the valve open, fired up the blowtorch, and stood back while it flamed. He waited while it burned off the charge in the flash pan, then the blowtorch began climbing to operating temperature. When the flame streaming out of the nozzle burned blue, Archie picked up the blowtorch with care and started...

You'll have to wait till you get to that part of The Black Fortress to find out how he used the blowtorch to save the day. But one thing is certain. The boy genius has always got some trusty gadget in his toolbox to help his friends out of a jam! :)