by Bob Wainwright

Created on: April 16, 2008

In September of 1966, we embarked on a five year mission aboard the Starship Enterprise the brainchild of Eugene (Gene) Roddenberry. For all science fiction fans this was a "real life" visual depiction of all of the amazing equipment, peoples and places that could only be read about previously. This "five year" trip stretched into twenty five extraordinary years. Children grew into adulthood watching Star Trek; there were very few shows that can claim that honor.

We were introduced to Captain William T. Kirk, Mr. Spock the pointed eared Vulcan, Bones McCoy, the physician, Uhura, the communications officer, Mr. Chekov, Mr. Scott (Scotty), Mr. Sulu and the other intrepid intergalactic explorers. Each week Mr. Roddenberry took his faithful "to where no other went before us."

His story lines embraced many issues of the day. He introduced cast members whose gender and race weren't seen that often on television. Occasionally, story scenes introduced controversial situations, sometimes, first of a kind.

The best of all, this ship could travel faster than the fabled speed of light...effortlessly, it had equipment that could teleport people and things in the blink of an eye routinely, of course, and it did malfunction occasionally to support a story line. Our intrepid space travelers were armed with the amazing phaser weapon, easily adjustable from a mere stun to a deadly vaporizing ray. This wonderful device seemed to run endlessly on one power charge, unless of course, the individuals found themselves in dire straits.

We visited the strangest worlds and met some truly weird species, some who were tunneling rocks, or will-o-wisp energy phantoms that passed through solid walls, defied any means of weaponry, and were impervious to the cold vacuum of space. At one time of another, all of the well known crew members were invaded by space creatures or overcome by strange powers and landed up doing all sorts "out of this world" things.

When this amazing journey finally ended, we had journeyed through space for 726 episodes, and as mentioned, for over twenty five years. Accomplished by means of five different core series and one animated version, it spun off into ten movies, with an eleventh coming next year. Plans are to have it manned by the original crew members, their parts being reprised by mostly newcomers, but supported by a few of the originals.

It turned into one of the most prolific adventure series in media history, incorporating television, movie, and countless books. It spawned numerous Trekkie cults and conventions. Many of its innovations were later incorporated into real life fact, one such example was the incorporation of the Enterprise's "bridge" design into a naval communications center. In fact, some say the MRI was modeled after the design of Bones McCoy's unique medical diagnostic equipment. Other innovative "Outer Space" technologies may have served as models for the present day hand held communication and computer devices. Another noteworthy accomplishment, having the first NASA Shuttle named "Enterprise."

When all is said, "this series was unlike no other, be it science fiction or otherwise". It was and will be a lasting icon of classic TV entertainment. It did take us where no other went before. Engage!

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