Full record for tractor ray n.

Definition	=tractor beam
OED requirements	antedating 1942
Earliest cite	Ross Rocklynne, 'Abyss of Darkness'
Comment	Mike Christie submitted a cite from a 1979 reprint of Ross Rocklynne's "Into the Darkness"; we would like to verify it in the first printing in Astonishing Stories, June, 1940. Katrina Campbell submitted a cite from a 1976 reprint of Algis Budrys's 1958 "The Edge of the Sea"; Mike Christie verified it in the original publication. Fred Galvin submitted a 1943 cite from Graph Waldeyer's "The Answer Out of Space". Fred Galvin submitted a 1942 cite from Ross Rocklynne's "Abyss of Darkness". Fred Galvin submitted a cite from the Gutenberg etext edition of E.E. Smith's "Triplanetary"; we would like to verify this in the original publication in Amazing Stories, Feb. 1934.
Last modified	10 December, 2009

Citations for tractor ray n.

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1931 Amazing Stories Sept. 544/2	There is such a thing as a ray-screen, you kill-joy, and there are also lifting or tractor rays—two things I've been trying to dope out and that you've been giving me the Bronx cheer on.
1943 G. Waldeyer Answer Out Of Space in Sci. Fiction July 101/1	Perhaps its path cannot be changed, and it is headed for this city. If so, I can use Bill Johnson's landing drome, send out a tractor ray and bring it in.