A part of Mr. Spock heads to the Smithsonian

Mr. Spock is an important part of history

Is there anything more iconic in the Star Trek universe than Mr. Spock’s ears? The prosthetics, worn by Leonard Nimoy, were originally considered to be too “demonic” for Star Trek: The Original Series, but it didn’t take long for “Spockmania” to set in. Fans from all over were hooked by the Vulcan who displayed a logic beyond anything we could fathom. After TOS was cancelled, Nimoy took the ears home as a collectible and built a case for them as a way  keep the tips safe and to honor his time as the enigmatic Mr. Spock.

Now, Adam and Julie Nimoy have donated the ears to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will go on display in the fall of 2022 in the upcoming Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery. These ears join an array of Star Trek collectibles which are housed at the museum, including the Star Trek starship Enterprise studio model, which will go back on display in the Museum’s Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall when the gallery’s renovation is complete, according to Smithsonian National Air and Space’s official website.

Mr. Spock will always offer a vision of hope to Star Trek fans

Adam and Julie Nimoy know the importance of the ears their father wore and the legacy he left behind, and they were honored to donate the Spock ears with the donation honoring Beit T’Shuvah and the Leonard Nimoy COPD Research Fund at UCLA.

"“Mounted in a black box, those ears have been in our family for over fifty years as a tribute to Dad’s outstanding performances as Mr. Spock and the inspiration and hope that Star Trek have given to generations of fans all over this planet. Today it’s my honor to donate the iconic Spock ears to the National Air and Space Museum, home to the starship Enterprise studio model, where they can be experienced by visitors firsthand. The donation honors Beit T’Shuvah and the Leonard Nimoy COPD Research Fund at UCLA, two organizations supported by our family and dedicated to the Vulcan salutation of long life and prosperity.”"

The museum issued a statement expressing how thrilled it was to have a pair of Spock ear tips from the set of TOS, tips that were “made for and cherished by the man who first brought the iconic character to life.”