Technologies Timeline

The electronic sub-etha sens-o-matic is used to alert Ford of nearby spacecraft to board

The electronic sub-etha signaling device is used alert the nearby spacecraft that Ford and Arthur wish to hitch a ride

The Infinite Improbability Drive is invented, put in a ship, and then stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox

The Vogons' fleet destroys the earth

Arthur and Ford are ejected from the Vogons' ship the Heart of Gold is introduced

Marvin, a depressed AI, is introduced

Deep Thought, constructed by the Magratheans, is introduced

Deep Thought reveals the answer to the ultimate question

Trillian reveals the capabilities of the spaceship, such as a machine that can create whatever food you're craving and a knife that toasts bread while it cuts it.

The ship arrives at Magrathea, and after ignoring a message saying that the planet is closed, two missiles are sent after the ship. The improbability drive changes the missiles into a sperm whale and petunia.

All but Arthur and Marvin go through a portal

It is revealed that Deep Thought created the earth (which was destroyed) to serve as a computer to compute the ultimate question.

Arthur meets Slartibartfast, a planet builder, who shows him the planet-building site and Earth Mark 2.

It is revealed that the mice were in charge all along.

The mice, which were Magratheans in disguise, drugged his friends and tried to cut out his brain.

While this is going on, the Vogons attack, and Marvin shoots at them with the point of view gun and makes them all sad.

Earth Mark 2 is resumed from how Earth was left, and Arthur and Trillian go away on the Heart of Gold.