Holtzman, also spelled Holtzmann or Holzmann, was a famed physicist and scientist of the BG era who pioneered a branch of theory relating to the repellant force of subatomic particles. Most of the discoveries in this area of physics to bear the root were named after him, since they were based on the Holtzman Effect, also known as the Suspensor-Nullification effect, which provided the basis of many developments throughout human history, including:

• Holtzman Waves: the one-dimensional Effect produces a beam of theoretically infinite length. The beam can be modulated so that when it hits solid matter, it produces radio waves. This allows instantaneous communication at great distances, but the beam must be precisely aimed to strike the desired location.
• Holtzman shield: the two-dimensional Effect produces adjustable planes of force that repel fast moving projectiles, but allow slower moving objects, such as hand-held knives, to pass through. Shield generators produce and align multiple planes to completely surround an object.
• Subatomic fusion: an unexpected byproduct of a laser hitting a shield is the release of vast amounts of energy.
• Suspensors: the three-dimensional Effect produces a sphere of repulsive force that nullifies gravitational attraction on matter within the field.
• The Glowglobe combines a small suspensor and a light, usually powered by organic batteries.
• Holtzman Engine: the higher-dimensional Effect produces folds in space and time, allowing instantaneous interstellar space travel, unquestionably the most profound result of the Holtzman Effect.

Thousands of years later, Duncan Idaho realised that the mysterious entities known as Daniel and Marty had found another way to use Holtzman's ancient theories.