The science-fiction series Star Trek lasted just three seasons during its original network run from 1966 to 1969, but it has gained eternal life in reruns, in multiple spin-offs, and as a feature-film series. The intergalactic adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and his crew aboard the Starship Enterprise touched a chord with millions of fans worldwide searching for intelligent, imaginative science fiction.

Star Trek was the brainchild of producer Gene Roddenberry (1921–1991). A fan of TV Westerns (see entry under 1930s— Film and Theater in volume 2), Roddenberry patterned the weekly one-hour drama after the popular adventure series Wagon Train. The show debuted in September 1966. Veteran actor William Shatner (1931–) played the brash Captain Kirk. Leonard Nimoy (1931–) played his ultralogical first officer, the half-human, half-Vulcan Mr. Spock. Along with their fellow crew members, composed of different ethnic and personality types, Kirk and Spock explored the universe and encountered aliens both...