SEPTEMBER 8, 1966
The cast of characters aimed to “boldly go where no man has gone before” – and that’s precisely what the Star Trek series achieved after its first episode aired on September 8, 1966.
Introducing the crew of the USS Enterprise, The Man Trap follows Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner, and Chief Medical Officer Dr Leonard Mccoy (Deforest Kelley) visit an outpost on planet M-113. There to conduct routine medical exams, the crew are then attacked by a shapeshifting alien who kills by extracting salt from its victim’s body.
Written by George Clayton Johnson – perhaps most famous as the co-writer of the novel Logan’s Run, which was adapted into the hit 1976 film of the same name – the pilot of Star Trek set the tone for future episodes, and was generally well received.
Following the inaugural episode, Star Trek was renewed for a further three series, before being cancelled in 1969.
Later, syndication caused the show’s popularity to skyrocket, and it has since developed a cult following
– in large part due to its, then rare, multicultural cast and exploration of complex themes.
Today, the series is one the world’s most lucrative franchises, comprises nine spin-off television series, blockbuster films, animated cartoons, and comic books. Accounting for box office sales, merchandise, TV and retail sales, Star Trek is worth an estimated $10.6 billion.