19 Unearthed Facts About the Original Star Trek Series Even Die-Hard Fans Might Not Know

As one of the most famous sci-fi franchises, you don’t need to be a fan to have heard of Captain Kirk and Spock. If you are a fan, you might be interested in reading a few interesting facts about the original Star Trek series. Let’s go.

Talking Klingon

Photo Credit: NBC.

Would you believe that Klingon, the fictional language spoken in Star Trek, holds a Guinness World Records Award for the most widely spoken fictional language? People around the world are probably communicating in Klingon as we type.

Trekkies

Photo Credit: NBC.

Star Trek fans take their commitment to the show so seriously that die-hard fans are known as ‘Trekkies.’ They know no limits and have even recreated sets to demonstrate their love.

The Vulcan Salute

Photo Credit: NBC.

Leonard Nimoy’s talents were limitless. He conjured up the famous Vulcan Salute, based on an old Jewish blessing, and improvised the Vulcan nerve pinch that triggered a loss of consciousness. Maybe he was a real Vulcan.

Captain Kirk’s Inflexible Fingers

Photo Credit: NBC.

The aforementioned Vulcan Salute featured heavily in Star Trek, but William Shatner could not extend his fingers to the extent required. He avoided it altogether, though; the crew used fishing wire to bind his two fingers together in one scene where it was necessary.

Sulu

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Helmsman of the USS Enterprise, Sulu never had a first name in the original series. Producers must have felt bad for him, so later on, in Star Trek VI, they gave him the first name Hikaru. That was nice of them.

Lieutenant Nyota Uhura

Photo Credit: NBC.

Nichelle Nichols became one of the first black women to land a key role in a series. Her character, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, even had a smooch with William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, which was a first for the times.

Breaking Boundaries

Photo Credit: NBC.

The aforementioned kiss between Nichelle Nichols and William Shatner wasn’t supposed to happen. Spock was scripted to get close and personal with Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. William Shatner decided to make the change because he knew it would have life-changing repercussions in the entertainment industry. We believe you, Shatner. 

Spock’s Hairdo

Photo Credit: NBC.

Leonard Nimoy’s father was a barber, and fans of the show used to flock to him, requesting the iconic Spock haircut. In a twist of fate, they had no idea about his relationship with Leonard Nimoy. His business soared.

Animal Attacks

Photo Credit: CBS.

During filming, ‘The Cage’ episode was privy to an onslaught of angry pigeons, ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’ saw a vicious bee attack that stung William Shatner on the eyelid, and the Bengal Tiger in ‘Shore Leave’ escaped from its cage and ran riot. Health and Safety, anyone?

Leonard Nimoy’s Fans

Photo Credit: Paramount Home Entertainment.

Fans endlessly wrote to the stars of the show, and Leonard Nimoy took the time to respond as much as he could. He even wrote to one young fan who was facing racial abuse and gave her some great advice about overcoming her challenges. 

Lucille Ball

Photo Credit: CBS.

When the show was almost canceled in its early days, show financier and ‘I Love Lucy’ star Lucille Ball, owner of Desilu Productions, had such faith in it that she convinced people to back it. Thank the Heavens that she did.

Practical Jokers

Photo Credit: CBS.

The cast of Star Trek became well-known for playing practical jokes on each other, so much so that guest actors would be petrified. There were too many to mention, but they included William Shatner hiding Leonard Nimoy’s bicycle in his trailer and Nimoy putting body makeup in the freezer so it was freezing to the touch.

The First Pilot

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

The Star Trek pilot was originally called ‘The Cage’ and featured Captain ‘Pike’ instead of Captain Kirk. And there was no Spock. Thankfully, NBC turned down the show, and the rest became history. 

Star Trek Memorabilia

Photo Credit: CBS.

Such is the passion of Trekkies and collectors that they’re prepared to pay insanely high amounts of money for merchandise. Captain Kirk’s original command chair went for a whopping $304,750 at auction.

Famous Cleaners

Editorial credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.

Lucille Ball, who financed the show, was so passionate about Star Trek’s success that she stayed behind to sweep the floor so that they could wrap on time. No egos in this studio.

Star Trek Day

Editorial credit: Go My Media/ Shutterstock.

The success of Star Trek was so great that there is now an official Star Trek Day on September 8th. The date marks the transmission of the pilot episode in 1966.

A Message of Inclusivity

Editorial credit: The Shuttle Enterprise /Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Gene Roddenberry, the show’s creator, introduced Star Trek Day to reflect on a world that championed diversity, inclusion, acceptance, and hope. He believed that Star Trek reflected this message in its entirety.

Famous Appearances

Photo Credit: Desilu Productions.

Over the years, Star Trek has featured many famous names, including Joan Collins, Ashley Judd, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammer, Dwayne Johnson, Kirsten Dunst, and even Fleetwood Mack star Mick Fleetwood.

Star Trek Collectibles

Photo Credit: CBS.

Whether you’re looking for a collection of Spock cups, a movie-cast bomber jacket, or your own Tracer-Scope rifle, you’ll find the rarest Star Trek items amongst the weird and wonderful selection of collectibles.

Spock’s Ears

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

Spock’s prosthetic ear tips were as famous as the show itself. Leonard Nimoy himself used to take them home and keep them safe in a hand-built display box. The ears are now proudly displayed in Washington DC’s National Air and Space Museum. May they long live and prosper.

 

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