Inspired Enterprise

When Gene Roddenberry pitched the original TV series Star Trek to the NBC Network executives in 1964 he described it as a ‘Wagon Train To The Stars.’

That may sound strange, yet it was a smart move on his part. When Gene presented the Star Trek premise to NBC Westerns were huge money-makers on network TV. 

Dozens of Westerns dominated the airways close onto 20 years. Gene himself wrote a number of scripts for Westerns like Have Gun, Will Travel.

Part of the reason he was able to pitch Star Trek was because of his track record of writing good scripts, meeting deadlines and his dependability. Science Fiction TV series were few and far between-many of them cliche filled and somewhat silly.

Gene got the go-ahead to develop a Star Trek pilot episode: The Menagerie. It was a well-written, cerebral script that put forth serious questions and concepts. NBC rejected it as being too slow and intellectual for TV audiences.

In an unprecedented move, NBC ordered a second pilot: Where No Man Has Gone Before. It too had an excellent script but was much more physical and action packed. This version also featured most of the cast we all know from the original series.

Gene didn’t just slap scripts together that were filled with cliches. He did his homework-part of which was researching technical publications, space science, consulting experts in science and technology but especially space.

The result was a TV show (though not without its liberties when it can to space travel) that adhered mostly to science fact, the future vision of technology and man’s advancement as a species.

In author Glenn E. Swanson’s and Schiffer Publication’s hardbound book (with a dust jacket): Inspired Enterprise, readers will discover how NASA, the Smithsonian and the Aerospace Community helped to not only launch Star Trek as TV series but aided in its popularity and relevance in the following decades since its premier.

In-depth analysis of the science community’s contributions, its popular culture explosion and the how, why, when, who, what behind its creation are included.

Archival and recent black and white and full-color photos of both behind-the scenes, in front of the cameras, at gatherings and Star Trek memorabilia are included culminating in a fascinating and engrossing examination of what many consider the most popular Science Fiction TV series ever created.

As a life-long fan of Star Trek, having watched it when it first aired I consider myself a ‘Trekker’ (not a Trekkie). I enjoyed each an every anecdote, analysis and photo showcasing the making of the classic TV series.

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.