Editing Dalek (section)

====Overview====
[[File:Dalek, MediaCityUK, Manchester.jpg|thumb|left|Time War Dalek model on display at [[MediaCityUK]] in Manchester]]
The non-humanoid shape of the Dalek did much to enhance the creatures' sense of menace.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mithilareview.com/mukherjee_04_17/|title=Aliens with a Human Face: The Human-like Non-Humans of Doctor Who {{!}} Mithila Review|date=2017-04-11|work=Mithila Review|access-date=2018-05-01|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127162559/http://mithilareview.com/mukherjee_04_17/|archive-date=27 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A lack of familiar reference points differentiated them from the traditional "[[bug-eyed monster]]" of science fiction, which ''Doctor Who'' creator [[Sydney Newman]] had wanted the show to avoid.<ref>Howe (1992), pp. 3, 26–27</ref> The unsettling Dalek form, coupled with their alien voices, made many believe that the props were wholly mechanical and operated by remote control.<ref name="dalek companion">Howe (2004), p. 31</ref>

The Daleks were actually controlled from inside by short operators,<ref name="Monsters-82">Howe (1997), p. 82</ref> who had to manipulate their eyestalks, domes, and arms; as well as flashing the lights on their heads in-sync with the actors supplying their voices. The Dalek cases were built in two pieces; an operator would step into the lower section, and then the top would be secured. The operators looked out between the cylindrical louvres just beneath the dome, which were lined with mesh to conceal their faces.<ref name="Monsters-82" />

In addition to being hot and cramped, the Dalek casings also muffled external sounds, making it difficult for operators to hear the director or dialogue. [[John Scott Martin]], a Dalek operator from the original series, said that Dalek operation was a challenge: "You had to have about six hands: one to do the eyestalk, one to do the lights, one for the gun, another for the smoke canister underneath, yet another for the sink plunger. If you were related to an octopus then it helped."<ref name="Monsters_85">Howe (1997), p. 85</ref>

For ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s 21st-century revival, the Dalek casings retain the same overall shape and dimensional proportions of previous Daleks, although many details have been redesigned to give the Dalek a heavier and more solid look.<ref name="Tucker">{{cite magazine |last=Arnopp |first=Jason |date=July 2005 |title=Tucker's Luck |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] Special Edition |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |location=[[Royal Tunbridge Wells]], Kent |issue=11 |pages=62–70}}</ref> Changes include a larger, more pointed base; a glowing eyepiece; an all-over metallic-brass finish (specified by Davies); thicker, nailed strips on the "neck" section; a housing for the eyestalk pivot; and significantly larger dome-lights.<ref name="Tucker" /> The new prop made its on-screen debut in the 2005 episode "Dalek".<ref name="Tucker" /> These Dalek casings use a short operator inside the housing while the 'head' and eyestalk are operated via remote control. A third person, [[Nicholas Briggs]], supplies the voice in their various appearances.<ref name="Briggs">{{cite magazine |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |date=25 May 2005 |title=Diary of a Dalek |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |location=[[Royal Tunbridge Wells]], Kent |issue=356 |pages=23–27}}</ref> A new, larger model appeared during the 2010 series in several colours; each representing different parts of the Dalek command hierarchy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Steven |date=2010-05-02 |title=Doctor Who Recap: Season 5, Episode 3, "Victory of the Daleks" |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/doctor-who-season-5-episode-3-victory-of-the-daleks/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>