Technology and the Wizarding World
For most of wizarding history, Muggle technology and magic did not mix. Magical atmospheres disrupted electrical currents, causing even the simplest devices to fail, or in extreme cases, combust entirely. For centuries, this was considered an immutable law of magic.
That changed in the year 2020, with the invention of the "Battery Charm". Developed by Alessandra Vitelli, an experimental charms researcher of the Collegium Arcanum, a renowned research fellowship in Florence founded in the 17th century, the spell was the first practical breakthrough in marrying Muggle devices with magical energy. Vitelli's theory was deceptively simple: instead of trying to protect Muggle batteries from interference, why not remove them entirely and replace the power source with channelled magic?
The spell, incantation "Voltaro", is cast within the space where a device's battery sits. The charm binds a portion of magical energy into the device, allowing it to function as if powered by electricity. When performed correctly, the magic fuels circuits in a stable way, mimicking the steady current of a muggle battery.
There are, however, limitations:
- The charm only works on devices that are purely battery-powered, and the muggle battery must be physically removed before casting, meaning devices like smartphones are significantly harder to power in this way as a result of their batteries being difficult to remove.
- The spell does not affect wired electronics.
- A phone or tablet successfully charmed in this way will be able to take photographs, listen to music, or keep notes, but it won’t be able to connect to wi-fi or cellular towers, as the magical interference is still too great for the Muggle technology to overcome.
- The charm is not permanent, needing to be re-cast after a month or so.
- The spell affects the machine so that it is no longer compatible with Muggle batteries, leaving many who live or work in the Muggle world to consider the utility of this spell.
With these limitations, it's clear that there's a need for even more research into creating a stronger and more effective version of the spell. Some nations have begun an “arms race” of who can achieve the breakthrough first, while others have begun passing legislation banning such research within their borders.
While the creation of the Battery Charm has been regarded as an innovation, it has also been hotly debated. Traditionalists worry about creeping Muggle influence in wizarding spaces, while optimists regard this as a new era of cooperation. Nevertheless, one fact can no longer be disputed. For the first time, young witches and wizards can sketch essays on glowing tablets, photograph their potion mishaps, or play Muggle games deep inside ancient castles.