“Star Trek,” the American science fiction TV series that premiered in 1966, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. For fans around the world, the futuristic technology and aliens depicted in the show may be fascinating topics. Interestingly, some of the technologies portrayed in the series have become a reality today. Here are 5 of them as compiled by the Mental Floss website:
Computers:
In the 1960s when “Star Trek” first aired, computers were large mechanical devices that often occupied entire rooms, and their output data was complex and difficult to interpret for anyone other than a few experts in the field.
However, “Star Trek” showcased a computer system capable of storing databases that were not only easy to access, but could also retrieve and interpret information in real-time, making operations simpler.
Handheld Communication Devices:
In 1966, people still used wired telephones for communication, and handheld wireless communication devices like walkie-talkies were limited in range. The handheld communication devices used by the main characters in “Star Trek” seemed light-years ahead of reality at that time.
Today, smartphones with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities are ubiquitous, making handheld communication devices a common sight.
Touchscreens:
Another modern technology successfully predicted by “Star Trek” is touchscreen technology. The characters in the series used smooth glass touchscreens to operate machinery or devices, a style that eventually evolved into the commonly seen touchscreen technology today.
Tablet Computers:
The “Personal Access Display Device” featured in “Star Trek” foreshadowed the iPad tablet computer introduced by Apple in 2010.
Translator:
In “Star Trek,” the crew members of the starship USS Enterprise traveled between different worlds and planets, encountering various cultures and life forms. The “universal translator” enabled them to understand the languages of alien species.
Decades later, translators are now a standard feature in mobile devices, enabling people to understand different languages from around the world.
When it comes to “Star Trek,” fans should remember the significance of the different colored uniforms worn by characters on the bridge of the USS Enterprise:
– Gold Uniforms: Worn by command personnel such as Captain Kirk, Hikaru Sulu, and Pavel Chekov.
– Red Uniforms: Worn by engineering and communications staff, including Chief Engineer Scotty.
– Blue Uniforms: Worn by science and medical personnel, such as Spock.
However, in later sequels, the colors of the uniforms changed, potentially causing confusion. For instance, in the 1987 premiere of “The Next Generation,” command personnel wore red uniforms, while operations staff wore yellow uniforms, which was essentially the opposite of the original design. Subsequent movies also modified the style and colors of the uniforms.