Television viewers of the 1960s had limited options when it came to variety. Color television, while invented in 1953, was not affordable for the average household until the mid 60s. Unlike today, when we can access thousands of programming choices with just a button press, most viewers had to choose between the three main networks: NBC, ABC, and CBS, along with one or two local channels.
Star Trek, which premiered on NBC in the fall of 1966 (and in color), featured a fantastic collection of future technology that seemed like flights of pure fancy back then. However, fiction often gives way to fact, so let’s take a look at a few pieces of Star Trek-inspired technology that are commonplace today.
1. The flip phone
Any Star Trek fan would recognize the shape and usage of the flip phone when it first hit shelves in 1996. The Motorola Star-TAC was the first and the most popular model, with a flip-open cover and a choice of ringtones. Imagine the delight of Trek fans back then when they could carry a cell phone that opened exactly like a Starfleet communicator!
Flip phones remain popular today and come in an array of styles, including those that are no larger than a playing card when folded. As technology and the Star Trek franchise continue to evolve together, we may see new and incredible flip phones debut in the future!
2. Smart lighting
Most of today’s homes feature some kind of smart technology, whether it is a programmable video doorbell that allows homeowners to monitor their front door or adjust their home’s AC settings from their phone. One popular feature that might have been Star Trek-inspired is smart lighting, including motion sensors.
For example, in “The Deadly Years” (S02E12), Chekov enters a darkened building, and the lights come up automatically to reveal a dead man. Motion-sensor technology is a popular security feature that continues to advance today and has even grown from the original series into series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, where voice-activated lights and food synthesizers became common.
3. Paperless technology
People living in the mid-1960s used mills of paper for work and school reports, receipts, greeting cards, and mimeographed materials. Star Trek’s world existed without the limitations and waste of paper, thanks to the PADD (Personal Access Display Device). It allowed crew members to share information, view reports, sign documents electronically, and more. The PADD may have inspired today’s tablets, which allow people to pay bills online and view multiple documents without paper waste.
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