Editing Unobtainium (section)

== Similar terms ==
The term {{not a typo|eludium}} has been used to describe a material which has "eluded" attempts to develop it, with the variant spelling illudium derived from "illusion". This was mentioned in several [[Looney Tunes]] cartoons, where [[Marvin the Martian]] tried (unsuccessfully) to use his "Eludium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator" to blow up the Earth.<ref>Differences of opinion exist regarding the correct pronunciation; Chuck Jones rendered the modulator's name as Q-36 in print in ''Chuck Amuck : The Life and Times of an Animated Cartoonist'' (New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1989; {{ISBN|0-374-12348-9}}), p. 213</ref>

Another largely synonymous term is wishalloy,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4221/ch8.htm |title= NASA SP-4221: The Space Shuttle Decision – NASA's Search for a Reusable Space Vehicle |first=Thomas A. |last=Heppenheimer |year=1999 }} Chapter 8</ref> although the sense is often subtly different in that a wishalloy usually does not exist at all, whereas unobtainium may merely be unavailable.

A similar conceptual material in [[alchemy]] is the [[philosopher's stone]], a mythical substance with the ability to turn [[lead]] into [[gold]], or bestow [[immortality]] and [[youth]]. While the search to find such a substance was not successful, it did lead to discovery of a new element: [[phosphorus]].<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,690450-2,00.html "Experts Warn of Impending Phosphorus Crisis"], by Hilmar Schmundt, ''[[Der Spiegel|Spiegel]]'', 21 April 2010</ref>

In [[architecture]], the term ''renderite'' has been used to describe the use of unrealistic materials in concept renders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/documents/projects/LMW%20Survey%20Write-In%20Comments%20-%20Attachment%20A%2004-06-23.pdf |title=Lake Mononoa Waterfront Design Challenge |publisher=cityofmadison.com |date=2024-12-12}}</ref>