See also The Really Big Button That Doesn't Do Anything complete with a whole lot of quotes that contemplate its mystery. It may also be there to confuse people infiltrating the secret base and it will immediately cause the pusher of the button to fall into a trap. Initiating the Self-Destruct Sequence, Activating the Ejection Seat, Using the Nitro Boost, sounding the Red Alert, and launching a missile, rocket, or air strike. There are several common things which pushing the big red button may do. It is not, however, found in real-world examples of certain weapons.

In nuclear reactors, this is referred to as a SCRAM Switch. It is always an emergency shutdown or power disconnect, intended to save the life of the operator or bystanders by stopping the machine in a big hurry. Of course, if you don't tell them about it, they might walk right up to it and discover by experimentation the answer to the question ' What Does This Button Do?'Īlmost every piece of factory equipment or freestanding power tool sold in the real world has an actual Big Red Button. Sometimes, it's used as an excellent piece of Schmuck Bait to lure someone into a trap by making it Forbidden Fruit tell someone not to press it, list all the negative side effects it will cause and all the terrible consequences if they do press it, and you can almost guarantee they will press it.

(At least the only one that's not painted on the background layer.) In animation, this will often be the only control, period. In live action, this will often be the only control big enough to make out on camera. Pressing the Big Red Button activates the function of a given machine that is important to the plot, be it firing the superweapon, activating the Self-Destruct Mechanism, or emergency shutdown.

It's usually colored red, as a hazard warning. The activation control of choice for any truly powerful effect, usually located dead center on the control console, sometimes under a molly-guard.

Do not press the red button cartoon