The transporter was originally conceived as a device to convey characters from a starship to the surface of a planet without the need for expensive and time-consuming special effects to depict the starship landing. Malfunctioning transporters are also often used as a plot device to set up a variety of science fiction premises. The transporter has become a hallmark of the "Star Trek" franchise; the famous misquoted catchphrase "Beam me up, Scotty" refers to the use of the transporter on "", operated by the character Montgomery Scott.