On September 8, 1966 the first episode of Star Trek aired on NBC. While this was a little before my time, some of my fondest memories are of watching the show in syndication with my dad and little brother. And even though the show didn’t quite make it through its “five year mission,” it is still one of the most successful science fiction franchises.
My favorite episode from the original series – The Trouble with Tribbles
Star Trek, along with many other science fiction shows, was a part of what inspired me to pursue science as a career path. It opened my mind to endless possibilities, to wonder at what the future might hold through technology, engineering, and science, and to want to explore those areas myself. I didn’t want to only watch the future unfold, but I wanted to be a part of the shaping of the future.
So, thank you Star Trek, not just for years of enjoyable stories, but for helping me see beyond the veil and into the boundless infinity. And for those parents even remotely concerned about their kids being too absorbed into science fiction, don’t. For through those dreams, visions, and imaginations, your child may bring forth a new, facinating reality.
