Type-1 phaser circa 2268
Type-1 phaser circa 2367
A type-1 phaser is the smallest, most basic weapon carried by Starfleet and other Federation personnel. Type-1 phasers are typically carried when it would be inappropriate to carry a larger weapon, such as on diplomatic missions, or "undercover" work.
The type-1 has eight adjustable settings, ranging from stun to heat through disruption to disintegration. The 23rd century type-1 in use in the 2260s incorporated a small flip-up sight and was fired by a trigger on the bottom front of the unit. Several versions of the type-2 phaser incorporated a type-1 phaser into their design.
A 23rd century type-1 phaser did not possess sufficient power to harm a silicon-based lifeform such as a Horta. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")
24th century type-1s could be programmed to fire automatically at set intervals. (TNG: "The Game")
Background
The Original Series type-1 phaser was designed by Matt Jefferies and built by Wah Chang.
The sight is not immediately apparent in most episodes, but a detailed physical examination of one of the surviving "hero" phasers has documented its presence, as well as the location of the trigger. (TOS Season 3, Disc 7 "A Star Trek Collector's Dream Come True") (Star Trek: Communicator magazine)
The Next Generation type-1 phaser was designed by Rick Sternbach. A design patent was issued for Sternbach's design in which he was identified as the "inventor" of it. Nicknamed the "Cricket", the type-1 was rarely used after the first season of The Next Generation because Gene Roddenberry felt it was so minuscule that it was hardly visible on screen (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission); nonetheless, it appeared in "The Mind's Eye" and "In the Flesh". The latter appearance was the first time the designation "type-1 phaser" was ever stated on-screen.
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