History Main / DevolutionDevice

** ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'':

* The Devolutionizing Machine in [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130313155521/http://www.superdickery.com/images/stories/science/0006a43h.jpg this page]] from a ComicBook/WonderWoman [[https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-legends-revealed-274/ comic]]. It changes a crocodile into a Tyrannosaurus Rex and elephants into mastodons.

* Mixed with a FantasticVoyagePlot, episode "Journey Through Inner Space" of the ''WesternAnimation/ChallengeOfTheSuperFriends'' has Aquaman de-evolved into a shark-like creature, apparently his ancestor, and Superman traveling inside his body to cure him.

[[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mutant-chicken-grows-alli Note that]] in RealLife, a creature's cells contain "dormant" genes from its ancestors. However, the DNA changes would have to occur on pretty much every cell in the body to change species, and it's quite likely that some of the other genes essential to a species' ancestor have been mutated or damaged beyond repair over thousands, or millions, of years. Even if genetic reversions did take place, the existing ''non-cellular'' components of a creature's body wouldn't be affected by alterations in DNA, so features like hair or skeletal framework ought to remain the same. (Moreover, the DNA is used to construct an organism from an embrio, so a changed DNA in an adult organism would have no genetic mechanisms to "re-construct" it, and the organism is likely to just die in short order.) Also note that this trope tends to result in the target turning into something that looks like a extinct species, even though it's unlikely that most fossils represent actual ancestors of modern species (for example, modern birds are *not* directly descended from Archaeopteryx). To say nothing of how inaccurate it is to depict a modern species devolving into another modern species (such as a human into a chimpanzee).

[[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mutant-chicken-grows-alli Note that]] in RealLife, a creature's cells contain "dormant" genes from its ancestors. However, the DNA changes would have to occur on pretty much every cell in the body to change species, and it's quite likely that some of the other genes essential to a species' ancestor have been mutated or damaged beyond repair over thousands, or millions, of years. Even if genetic reversions did take place, the existing ''non-cellular'' components of a creature's body wouldn't be affected by alterations in DNA, so features like hair or skeletal framework ought to remain the same. (Moreover, the DNA is used to construct an organism from an embrio, so a changed DNA in an adult organism would have no genetic mechanisms to "re-consstruct" it, and the organism is likely to just die in short order.) Also note that this trope tends to result in the target turning into something that looks like a extinct species, even though it's unlikely that most fossils represent actual ancestors of modern species (for example, modern birds are *not* directly descended from Archaeopteryx). To say nothing of how inaccurate it is to depict a modern species devolving into another modern species (such as a human into a chimpanzee).

[[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mutant-chicken-grows-alli Note that]] in RealLife, a creature's cells contain "dormant" genes from its ancestors. However, the DNA changes would have to occur on pretty much every cell in the body to change species, and it's quite likely that some of the other genes essential to a species' ancestor have been mutated or damaged beyond repair over thousands, or millions, of years. Even if genetic reversions did take place, the existing ''non-cellular'' components of a creature's body wouldn't be affected by alterations in DNA, so features like hair or skeletal framework ought to remain the same. (Moreover, the DNA is used to construct an organism from an embrio, so a changed DNA in an adult organism would have no genetic mechanisms to "re-consstruct" it, and the organism is likely to die in short order.) Also note that this trope tends to result in the target turning into something that looks like a extinct species, even though it's unlikely that most fossils represent actual ancestors of modern species (for example, modern birds are *not* directly descended from Archaeopteryx). To say nothing of how inaccurate it is to depict a modern species devolving into another modern species (such as a human into a chimpanzee).

[[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mutant-chicken-grows-alli Note that]] in RealLife, a creature's cells contain "dormant" genes from its ancestors. However, the DNA changes would have to occur on pretty much every cell in the body to change species, and it's quite likely that some of the other genes essential to a species' ancestor have been mutated or damaged beyond repair over thousands, or millions, of years. Even if genetic reversions did take place, the existing ''non-cellular'' components of a creature's body wouldn't be affected by alterations in DNA, so features like hair or skeletal framework ought to remain the same. Also note that this trope tends to result in the target turning into something that looks like a extinct species, even though it's unlikely that most fossils represent actual ancestors of modern species (for example, modern birds are *not* directly descended from Archaeopteryx). To say nothing of how inaccurate it is to depict a modern species devolving into another modern species (such as a human into a chimpanzee).

-->''Among the forest-covered hills of the northwest exist wandering bands of ape-men, without human speech, or the knowledge of fire or the use of implements. They are the descendants of the Atlanteans, sunk back into the squalling chaos of jungle-bestiality from which ages ago their ancestors so laboriously crawled. To the southwest dwell scattered clans of degraded, cave-dwelling savages, whose speech is of the most primitive form, yet who still retain the name of Picts, which has come to mean merely a term designating men — themselves, to distinguish them from the true beasts with which they contend for life and food. It is their only link with their former stage.''[[note]]This was once a common idea, especially regarding Atlantis lore-that all the existing human beings had "devolved" from the Atlanteans or another ancient people (usually with [[ValuesDissonance the white race]] viewed as the closest to them). In some cases, these {{advanced ancient humans}} themselves were held to be extraterrestrials or descended from them.[[/note]]

* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': In "Descent", Dr. Arthur Zeller is a submissive, unassertive anthropologist who is mocked and taken advantage of by almost everyone. He often admires the university's exhibit on ''Homo erectus'' and wishes that he could emulate the dominant behavior of early man. Arthur develops a DNA serum which is designed to make the subject more dominant and successfully tests it on a mouse. He then decides to inject himself with it. The change is immediately apparent as he becomes more assertive and aggressive at work. There are also numerous physical alterations. Arthur finds that his mind occasionally reverts to that of a ''Homo erectus''. After his proposal for a new project is rejected by the head of the anthropology school Professor Martin Standfield and he is suspended for his erratic behavior, Arthur savagely beats Standfield in the car park. He then injects his colleague Dr. Laura White, for whom he has feelings, with the serum as he believes that this is the only way that she will respect him but the transformation process does not take hold in her case. When he finally admits what he has done, Laura's tests show that his cerebral cortex is shrinking and his skeletal structure is undergoing major changes. Arthur eventually reverts to a complete specimen of ''Homo erectus'' and is placed in the university exhibit.

** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' took considerable fire for [[CanonDiscontinuity "Threshold"]], in which a flight test at {{Ludicrous Speed}}s caused a character to "evolve" rapidly (just enough technobabble was applied to work around the fact that ''individuals'' do not themselves evolve; technically, he "experienced mutations consistent with the pattern of human evolution"), whose end-state was to turn him into a giant salamander with a Fu Manchu mustache. The fact that so many fans complained that "That's not ''evolving''; it's ''de''volving!" shows that TV has corrupted our understanding of evolution — there's no such thing as "devolving": evolution does ''not'' lead inevitably toward bigger, smarter creatures who would necessarily seem "more advanced" by human standards. [[WordOfGod Brannon Braga]] says this was the idea he tried to get across, but admits he failed spectacularly.

* An advertisement for Guinness titled "noitulove"(evolution backwards) featured a group of men leaving a pub and de-evolving through cavemen, apes, dinosaurs, amphibians and ending up as lungfish.

* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': In "Descent", Dr. Arthur Zeller is a submissive, unassertive anthropologist who is mocked and taken advantage of by almost everyone. He often admires the university's exhibit on ''Homo erectus'' and wishes that he could emulate the dominant behavior of early man. Arthur develops a DNA serum which is designed to make the subject more dominant and successfully tests it on a mouse. He then decides to inject himself with it. The change is immediately apparent as he becomes more assertive and aggressive at work. There are also numerous physical alterations. Arthur finds that his mind occasionally reverts to that of a ''Homo erectus''. After his proposal for a new project is rejected by the head of the anthropology school Professor Martin Standfield and he is suspended for his erratic behavior, Arthur savagely beats Standfield in the car park. He then injects his colleague Dr. Laura White, for whom he has feelings, with the serum as he believes that this is the only way that she will respect him but the transformation process does not take hold in her case. When he finally admits what he has done, Laura's tests show that his cerebral cortex is shrinking and his skeletal structure is undergoing major changes. Arthur eventually reverts to a complete specimen of ''Homo erectus'' and is placed in the university exhibit.* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' several examples:

* In the ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' episode "My Three Crichtons", an alien probe produced both "de-evolved" and "super-evolved" versions of Crichton.[[spoiler: The crew also assumed the "de-evolved" caveman was hostile and savage, while the "super-evolved" Crichton turned out to be the self-serving and dangerous one.]]
** Deconstructed when the probe explains that the two extra Crichtons are just two of the millions of alternate versions of humanity that the probe was simulating and cataloging. They just happen to be a caveman and big-brained superhuman. And just to nail the point home, D'argo comforts a worried Crichton that the [[InsufferableGenius "super-evolved genius"]] form is just a ''possible'' evolution.

* The climax of Creator/HRiderHaggard's ''She'' has [[spoiler:the title character take another bath in the life-giving flame, which takes away her youth. Her dying form is described as being like a monkey]]. Darwin's theories had only recently entered the public consciousness when the book was written and the whole story is about the ''fear'' of "devolving" since people were scared that it ''might'' work backwards at the time.

-->''Among the forest-covered hills of the northwest exist wandering bands of ape-men, without human speech, or the knowledge of fire or the use of implements. They are the descendants of the Atlanteans, sunk back into the squalling chaos of jungle-bestiality from which ages ago their ancestors so laboriously crawled. To the southwest dwell scattered clans of degraded, cave-dwelling savages, whose speech is of the most primitive form, yet who still retain the name of Picts, which has come to mean merely a term designating men — themselves, to distinguish them from the true beasts with which they contend for life and food. It is their only link with their former stage.''

* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', humans with Quirks are [[EvolutionaryLevels considered the next stage of evolution]]. Eri's Quirk is a SemanticSuperpower [[spoiler: revolving around the term "rewind"]], which Chisaki exploits to create bullets that DePower those with Quirks, turning them into normal humans. He also suggests that Eri can turn a human into an apelike creature with some effort.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'', protagonized by anthropomorphic sentient dinosaurs, the good guys were able to deevolve to their original, [[CaptainObvious non-anthropomorphic]], dinosaurian form at will and retaining their sentience and intelligence. There was also a weapon able to cause them the same, but this time into apparently non-sentient, and also much bigger dinosaurs.

* The Devolutionizing Machine in [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130313155521/http://www.superdickery.com/images/stories/science/0006a43h.jpg this page]] from a WonderWoman [[https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-legends-revealed-274/ comic]]. It changes a crocodile into a Tyrannosaurus Rex and elephants into mastodons.

[[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mutant-chicken-grows-alli Note that]] in RealLife, a creature's cells contain "dormant" genes from its ancestors. However, the DNA changes would have to occur on pretty much every cell in the body to change species, and it's quite likely that some of the other genes essential to a species' ancestor have been mutated or damaged beyond repair over thousands, or millions, of years. Even if genetic reversions did take place, the existing ''non-cellular'' components of a creature's body wouldn't be affected by alterations in DNA, so features like hair or skeletal framework ought to remain the same.

* In ''Manga/OdeToKirihito'', Monmow Disease, a mysterious illness that causes [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent people to slowly and painfully mutate into dog-like creatures]], is said to work by forcing the expression of dormant genes left over in the human genetic code from an early mammal, presumably supposed to represent the last common ancestor of primates and canines, [[SomewhereAMammologistIsCrying even though the actual ancestor would have resembled neither]].

* In ''Manga/OdeToKirihito'', Monmow Disease, a mysterious illness that causes [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent people to slowly and painfully mutate into dog-like creatures]], is said to work by forcing the expression of dormant genes left over in the human genetic code from an early mammal, presumably the last common ancestor of primates and canines.

A fine weapon and/or [[AppliedPhlebotinum experimental prototype]] that does one thing and one thing only: reverse [[EvolutionaryLevels the effects of evolution]] on creatures! In particular, this device is often used to turn humans into something more apelike, often a [[YouFailBiologyForever modern]] Gorilla, or else AllCavemenWereNeanderthals. A bird or lizard can be turned into a giant dinosaur that can then be used to [[TheyCalledMeMad terrorize all those people that called you mad]]. That'll show 'em.

* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': In the episode "Descent", a meek bio-anthropologist developed one in serum form and then used it on himself, turning him into an aggressive quasi-caveman.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' several examples:

* In ''Manga/OdeToKirihito'', Monmow Disease, a mysterious illness that causes [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent people to slowly and painfully mutate into dog-like creatures]],is said to work by forcing the expression of dormant genes left over in the human genetic code from an early mammal, presumably the last common ancestor of primates and canines.

* The Pithovirus in ''VideoGame/PlagueInc'', if evolved correctly (ironically), can act as a biological version of these, causing a NonStandardGameOver, in which the plague doesn't kill everyone, but causes all of humanity to devolve into Neanderthals.

[[folder:Videogames]]

* An issue of ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigra Tigra]]'' [[note]](no, not [[ThunderCats Tygra]])[[/note]] had a scientist of the Cat People developing a ray to turn the heroine back to her human form. An renegade CP got ahold of it and used it as a devolving ray. [[note]]Cat People usually devolved into big cats. When turned on the bad guy, he devolved in a ''house cat''.[[/note]]

* In ''VideoGame/MetalSlug 4'', the scientist enemies fire chemical darts that turn the player into a monkey if they hit. For some reason or other it also turns the transformed player's basic weapon from a pistol into an Uzi.