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.

Push the red button song