Star Trek: The Experience is a permanent attraction which is located at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in Nevada and features 3D interactive adventure ride simulators constructed in the midst of full scale Star Trek set recreations that are designed to immerse visitors in the futuristic Star Trek-themed universe of the 24th century. Originally opened on January 3, 1998 by Paramount Parks; the Experience is home to The History of the Future museum which is advertised as the largest permanent collection of Star Trek props and costumes in the world; featuring over 200 "authentic Star Trek costumes, weaponry, make-up, special effects and props used in the four Star Trek television series and nine motion pictures" - as quoted on their website http://www.startrekexp.com/. The following are some selected photos of the TOS-related museum exhibits ...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Star Trek: The Original Series Control Panels & Displays
The Profiles In History Bob Justman Star Trek Auction in June, 2002 was the only large public offering of Star Trek TOS screen used control panels and the first opportunity for many collectors to gain insights on their construction details. All of the control panel lots at auction came from the estate of an individual who was contacted by a friend at Paramount in 1969 at the time that the Original Series sets were being dismantled and destroyed; and he was literally given the opportunity to take any items of interest before they were thrown out. In addition to the many control panels that he salvaged; this gentleman saved-from-destruction and was the long-time owner of Captain Kirk's Command Chair - now on display at the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle.
The control panel props used on TOS were more sophisticated than simple multicolor resin circular and square buttons glued to black plexiglass. Many of these resin buttons had inset lights or were illuminated from underneath (with elaborate wiring harnesses and other circuitry to randomly flash different bulbs) to create the illusion of a functioning Starship computer interface. In addition to the resin components, real aircraft switches and lights also adorned the U.S.S. Enterprise control panels - a result of Art Director Matt Jefferies background and industry contacts as an accomplished aviator.
The detailed writeups contained in several of the Profiles auction listings from 2002, which are illustrated below, provide excellent additional insights on panel construction and design issues; such as overheating - which was a primary concern of the technical crew.
And now, some photographs ...
The U.S.S. Enterprise Transmitter Console from Lt. Uhura's Communications Station ...
The starships Self-Destruct console, part of the Science Officers station ...
Some lamps and internal wiring inside the TOS Captain's Chairs seat and armrest ...
A warp drive monitor panel from Scotty's Bridge Engineering station ...
Some selected TOS screenshots that provide excellent reference views of the ships control panels and displays ...
Occasionally, some panels would be especially reconfigured to facilitate the storyline of a particular episode, as is the case with the Captain's Chair armrest seen in "Court Martial"...
A closeup of the Ship's Chronometer on the Helm ...
A backlit Medical diagnostic panel ...
A mockup of Bridge control station circuitry ...
And now, a few photos of a modern-era Star Trek: Enterprise Bridge Console that is part of the author's collection. Note the use of a few miniature flourescent lights as opposed to the TOS-style design involving dozens of 25 watt bulbs ...
Monday, May 26, 2008
Special PhotoStudy: Star Trek - The Original Series Uniform Trousers
Some TOS collectors might be unaware that a special silver-speckled black fabric was employed in the fabrication of some of The Original Series Starfleet uniform pants. Below is a publicity photo of Ensign Chekov in which the fabric pattern is clearly visible.
The following pants were obtained directly from CBS/Paramount inventory and are believed to have been used in several episodes of TOS. It contains the speckled fabric at the cuffs only...Note the style of sewn-in costume label is identical to that used in the 2nd season Blue Federation dress photographed for an earlier post on this website and visible at the link: http://startrekpropauthority.blogspot.com/2008/03/special-photostudy-federation-sciences.html
Contrary to popular belief, these pants did contain pockets, however, the opening was aligned very high (almost right at the waistline) and would be easily hidden under the Starfleet tunic...
Note the TOS inventory designation P38.
A closeup of the speckled fabric ...
This second pair of pants contains speckled fabric throughout and clearly possesses some aged internal fabric and components.