Monday, October 14, 2024
Courier Review: ‘Trekkers’ Distinguished Themselves from ‘Trekkies’
Editor’s note: The following Shelbyville High School Courier article was originally published Dec. 17, 1976.
by Ann Hart
Space: the final frontier. This is the story of SST (Shelbyville Star Trekkers). Their life-long mission to explore the realities of Star Trek, to apply the works of Star Trek to today's society, to boldly uncover what no man has found before.
Reporter's log: Stardate 7612.03. A number of people enjoy Star Trek and watch it quite frequently, but few people really “live Star Trek.” SHS seniors are very active in the Trekkers' society. They are David Hawn and Mike and Tim Hamilton. The three classify themselves as being “sophisticated scientific-minded people who believe in the future of Star Trek.” This is the clear definition of a “Trekker.” But there is a distinction between “Trekkers” and “Trekkies.” “Trekkies” are just the average people who like Star Trek but don't get too involved with it.
The boys formed the SST in Junior High School; however, they didn't become active with Star Trek until last year. Now they have everything from wall-to-wall posters, to models of starships, scripts, and even suits like those of the characters in the series. They have collected such things as the music book that contains every song ever played during the series’ three-year running; the Star Fleet Technical Manual, that contains such information as how phasers operate; and the Concordance, the dictionary of terms used on the show, a list of all the programs, and a sketch of each actor's personality. They have even invested in a medallion that Vulcans wear. It symbolizes “definite diversity in uniform combinations.” In common terminology, that means that the philosophy of nonconformative individuality. “That's why we decided to be different,” said Hamilton. “We believe in that philosophy.”
The history of Star Trek
In early 1960s, Gene Roddenbury had an idea for a television show that would tell of man’s problems when he stepped out into the final frontier, space. He called his idea Star Trek.
After nearly five years’ work on scripts, and the cost of $330,000, Star Trek was aired on Sept. 10, 1967. Roddenbury wanted to make every aspect of Star Trek as factual and as believable as possible. This was made possible with the help of such organizations as the Rand Corporation and NASA, who assisted in the designing of the Enterprise.
“That's one thing about Star Trek,” stated David. “Everything is scientifically based. Trekkers' don't enjoy other science fictions because they are unbelievable and impossible.” A private research team was hired to make sure everything on Star Trek was logical.
This logic, however, caused Star Trek to cost quite a large lump of money to create. The bridge of the Enterprise, alone, cost about $60,000 and took six weeks to build.
At the end of the first season, NBC decided to cancel Star Trek, which according to Tim, was “their first big mistake.” However, due to nearly a million letters protesting cancellation, NBC decided to let the Enterprise journey through a second season.
Because of the expense, NBC decided to once again attempt to cancel the show. The fans formed a giant protest across the nation from NBC’s Burbank office in California, to Rockefeller Plaza in New York. During a three month period, NBC received 114,667 complaint letters. Because of this great response, Star Trek was aired for its third and final season.
Although the series has been canceled, reruns are still shown in 100 countries, six days a week, and twice on Sunday. The ratings now have nearly doubled since the end of the original showing.
Fans for Life
Mike, Tim and Dave, are true “Trekkers.” They have never missed a Star Trek show. However, Dave complained that, because the show is aired at the same time on weekdays on different stations, he has a hard time deciding which show to watch.
All three “Trekkers” agree that they have no favorite episode. “That is another good thing about Star Trek,” said Mike. “It has so many episodes, so many different ideas, that it appealed to everyone in some way or another.”
Tim estimates that there are “a few hundred thousand ‘Trekkers’ throughout the world who are as active as we are, but the number of ‘Trekkies’ throughout the world is past the millions. Some people regard us as a cult because we're so strong,” added David.
Although there are many fan clubs throughout the U.S., the three don't belong to one. The oldest one is in Indianapolis, Star Base 6. “We don't belong to that one because more ‘Trekkies’ than ‘Trekkers’ belong to it. The SST, however, does receive newspapers and literature from fan clubs across the country. They also have connections with mail order houses where one can purchase anything from bumper stickers to working phasers (which incidentally cost around $75!). One of the biggest houses is Lincoln Enterprises in California. From this center, the SST began purchasing things such as decals, then invested in model ships similar to the Enterprise, blueprints of Klingon ships and the Enterprise, and many books.
All total they estimate that they have purchased about $200 worth of Star Trek oriented merchandise. If anyone thinks that Lincoln Enterprises is making a mint off of this, take a look for a moment at Paramount Studios, who, according to Tim, has made over $102 million in royalties from the companies.
Star Trek: A Reality
According to David, “Star Trek is more than a hobby but less than a reality.” The three believe that the future of Star Trek is already upon us.
NASA has made a communication center out of the Enterprise bridge. President Ford named a space shuttle after the Enterprise. He claimed that he was honoring a WWII aircraft carrier. However, inside sources say that he got so many letters from “Trekkers” requesting him to name the shuttle from the science fiction's starship, that he carried out the request. (Remember, you heard it first in the Courier.)
Star Trek series used a universal translator, which could translate a foreign language into audible English. NASA is currently working on such a device.
Doctors, when they first saw Star Trek, sent letters to Roddenbury asking him how he had learned about the diagnostic beds they were secretly working on. The 14-foot model of the Enterprise, that was used in making the movie, is currently hanging beside the “Spirit of St. Louis” in the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington, D.C.
Star Trek: The Remaking
A glimmer of hope shines for all “Trekkies” and “Trekkers”, as all the members of the cast of the original series have agreed to make a movie to start production in February. The movie, which is to be released by Christmas of 1977, could possibly lead to the remaking of the series. Although the SST will be separated in different colleges, they plan to reunite to see the premiere of the new movie. Says David, “We'll all get together during Christmas vacation, put on our uniforms, and see it together.”
NOTEBOOK:
This week’s Shelby County Commissioners meeting, typically held on Mondays, will be held tomorrow, 8 a.m., at the courthouse annex building, due to the holiday.
Shelbyville High School Cross Country teams completed their final regular season race, at New Palestine, over the weekend. Logan Reinhart, Macey Robbins and Paige O’Connor all earned ribbons. The teams go to sectionals this Saturday, Oct. 19, hosted at Shelbyville’s Blue River Cross Country Course.
Editor’s note: While sorting through Courier editions yesterday, I discovered some additional photos of The Shades, featured in yesterday’s edition.
NATIONAL NEWS: Kickers are improving at an unexpected pace, banging out field goals of 50 yards or higher at a game-altering clip. So far this NFL season 29 percent of field goal attempts have been from 50 yards away or higher — double the rate of 10 seasons ago — and even more remarkably, those kicks went in 76 percent of the time. Comparing this to other eras of football is even crazier; in 1974, 5.4 percent of field goal attempts were from 50 or more yards back, and only 13.3 percent went in. (Wall Street Journal/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 30, 1931, Part I
SHS Principal W.F. Loper had been elected president of the Bible study committee of the State Teachers Convention. Martin Schultz, John Densford and Cecil Parker were also elected to state level positions.
Support for The Courier was up in the air, but board member Sumner Terry said he intended to be sure the publication could carry on. “I believe that the Courier is a very worthwhile activity, and that the Senior class is doing a great service to Shelbyville High School by not abandoning it in this year of depression,” he said. Principal W.F. Loper expressed the same sentiment about a number of school activities. “We can’t quit,” he said.
Seniors who held officer positions with the Courier were Arthur Thurston, James Walker, John Schoelch, Harold Leonard, Amelia Auxier and John Ross.
Carved names were prevalent throughout the school building, mostly the work of past students. A short editorial called them “fools’ names and fools’ faces,” adding “One cannot but wonder how many of these names will be left in the hall of fame when their owners have finished their work in the institution of life.”
“Maybe Communism is all wrong but it’s sort of comfortable when you turn up for a six weeks’ test with neither ink nor paper.”
Jim Walker was teased for being one teacher’s favorite. “Look at those big kisses (the teacher has) marked all over your chemistry exam,” blurb said.
There were 54 girls and 62 boys in the freshmen class. “…consider the complications that will arise at the Junior reception,” the paper noted.
Although most boys enrolled in shop class instead of Latin, most girls had enrolled in Latin instead of Home Ec. “Does this mean that these not too modern boys who love the old life and a good home-cooked meal must seek their soulmates in vain?” the paper asked.
A classroom discussion exchange was recorded. Fred Riser: The more I read the less I know. Bill Showers: You must have read a lot.
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: Editor’s note: Due to a microfilm processing error, the 2014 section for the next couple of weeks will serve to memorialize a local individual who passed away that year.) Audrey Bonaventura Zerr, 90, passed away Feb. 3. Audrey (Dill) had married Paul Zerr in 1948, and he preceded her in death in 1979. Audrey was survived by her sons, Frank, Mark, David, Robert and Kevin. She had graduated from Warren Central High School in 1941 and St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1945. She had been a kindergarten and elementary teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School and Shelbyville Central Schools. Later, she was a teller at First Federal Savings and Loan, later known as Shelby County Bank. Her family had operated Zerr’s Market.
2004: In an effort to help improve the flow of traffic in Shelbyville, INDOT made major changes to State Road 9 at the intersections of Colescott and Broadway streets. There would be no left turn lanes for north- or southbound traffic traveling on State Road 9 at the Colescott intersection. Southbound drivers could use a right-turn-only lane and a straight-through lane but would not be allowed to turn left into Mickey’s T-Mart. Other changes included the addition of a right-turn-only lane for northbound traffic on SR 9 at the Broadway intersection. This helped ensure a pedestrian didn’t hold up traffic for much of the duration of the light, as had been the case.
1994: Bertie Cranford announced she would retire as a sixth-grade teacher at the middle school at the end of the school year.
American Legion members held a ceremonial groundbreaking behind the current site of the Post, 1125 Miller Ave., for a new 7,000-square-foot building. The new post would replace the Legion’s home, where it had been housed for 15 years.
1984: The Golden Bears won their first spot in the high school playoffs by beating Columbus East, 12-7. Shelbyville had trailed most of the game, but in the fourth quarter, tailback Walter Rhodes broke out of the pack for a 56-yard run to score the winning touchdown. The 8-0 Bears were coached by Randy Robertson.
1974: The Town of Morristown took action to purchase a patrol car for Town Marshal Dennis Alyea.
Indiana U.S. Senator Birch Bayh spoke at the Eagles Lodge at a Democrat rally.
1964: New oven ranges were installed at Shelbyville Junior High School. Doris Patterson was the Home Economics teacher.
Plans were in the works for the Shelby County Corn Festival, to be held the last weekend of October. Judges for the Corn Contest were Victor Lux, Kenneth Cortelyou, Maurice Lux, Frank Lux, Charles Fischer, Gibson Gray and Carl Kabric, the latter the 1963 contest winner.
Edghill Moore became the second sheriff in Shelby County history to be elected president of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. Fred Courtney, who was by 1964 County Clerk, had been the other.
1954: Sheriff Robert Meltzer warned arrests would be made for Halloween vandalism. Some recent pranks included laying telephone poles across county roads, throwing rocks through windows of rooms in which families were sleeping and tomato hurling.
G.C. Murphy Co. offered Halloween costumes from $1.98 to $2.49. Rubber masks were 25 cents and fabric masks were 29 cents.
F.W. Woolworth gave away goldfish to the first 1,000 customers in the store on a Saturday.
1944: Dr. M.M. Wells, 73, Fairland physician, died. He had served the county as a physician for 40 years.
1934: Bert Wallace, 55, of Shelbyville, died from injuries received while harness racing. Wallace lived at the Shelby County Fairgrounds and was a director of the local fair association. He had been a harness racer for 30 years.
1924: Helen Caldwell, “a female pied piper” from West Virginia, was hired to rid Shelbyville of rats. Caldwell, who was staying at Hotel Shelby, would be here seven days baiting rats. She estimated the city to have 24,000 of them.
1914: The Progressive candidate for Senate, Albert Beveridge, would deliver an address at City Hall, County Chairman J.L. Showers announced.
OBITUARIES
None today.