Star Trek: The Original Series only aired for three seasons (1966 to 1969), but it launched a fanbase that transformed pop culture. Trek fans pioneered letter-writing campaigns, cosplay, and modern fan conventions. They reshaped the franchise, fan culture, and even real science on Planet Earth.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, we hosted a live taping of AirSpace at the Museum all about the history and cultural impact of Trek and its fans. Matt and Emily were joined on stage by Museum curator and Trek expert Dr. Margaret Weitekamp and a very special guest: actor Jonathan Del Arco, who played Hugh the Borg on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard.
In this episode, we talk about Trek and its fans from the early days to today, including some personal Trek connections shared with us by fans who came to see the show. We discuss how (and why) we interpret Trek at the Museum and the Trek objects in our collection--including Leonard Nimoy’s prosthetic Spock ear tips, our many tribbles, and the 11-foot studio model of the Starship Enterprise from The Original Series (whose display case just got a major glow-up).
Jonathan also shared how he got cast on The Next Generation and what it was like to come back for Picard, and told us what it’s like to be on the other side of the table at fan conventions (and about the first time he met Nichelle Nichols--at a hotel ice machine!).
Thanks to our guests in this episode:
Jonathan Del Arco, actor and activist
Margaret Weitekamp, curator and chair of Space History, National Air and Space Museum
For the episode transcript and more information, visit <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/airspace-podcast/trek-60-live">https://airandspace.si.edu/airspace-podcast/trek-60-live</a>.
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Further links:
Starship Enterprise Studio Model: <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/model-starship-enterprise-television-show-star-trek/nasm_A19740668000">https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/model-starship-enterprise-television-show-star-trek/nasm_A19740668000</a>
Leonard Nimoy's Spock ear tips: <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/ear-tips-spock-leonard-nimoy-star-trek/nasm_A20220161000">https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/ear-tips-spock-leonard-nimoy-star-trek/nasm_A20220161000</a>
Tribbles (assorted): <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/collections/search?edan_q=tribble">https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/collections/search?edan_q=tribble</a>
AirSpace is created by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
