# 3188e - 1999 33c Celebrate the Century - 1960s: Star Trek
37¢ Star Trek
Celebrate the Century – 1960s
City: Green Bay, WI
Quantity: 8,000,000
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforations: 11.5
Star Trek Premieres
In the 1950s and 60s, Gene Roddenberry worked on a number of successful television shows, including several series about the Old West. A long-time fan of science fiction, he began to think about the idea of combining these two interests.
On March 11, 1964, Roddenberry created the first draft of a science fiction television show about a space crew in the 23rd century that explored the Milky Way. It combined the action of a Western with the adventure of space. He called it a “wagon train to the stars,” which nearly became the name of the show.
Star Trek was ahead of its time. In the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and tensions with communist nations, the multi-racial cast included African Americans, Asians, and Soviets – which was unheard of at the time. Though set in space and on alien planets, the storylines directly reflected events of the time – war and peace, imperialism, class warfare, and human rights. Quickly, the cast of unknown actors rocketed to cult stardom in what became one of the most popular TV shows of all time.
Though the original Star Trek lasted just three seasons (a total of 79 episodes), it found renewed popularity when it went into reruns in 1969. In 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture made its successful debut. That success sparked five additional series, 12 more movies, comics, games, books, and more.
37¢ Star Trek
Celebrate the Century – 1960s
City: Green Bay, WI
Quantity: 8,000,000
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforations: 11.5
Star Trek Premieres
In the 1950s and 60s, Gene Roddenberry worked on a number of successful television shows, including several series about the Old West. A long-time fan of science fiction, he began to think about the idea of combining these two interests.
On March 11, 1964, Roddenberry created the first draft of a science fiction television show about a space crew in the 23rd century that explored the Milky Way. It combined the action of a Western with the adventure of space. He called it a “wagon train to the stars,” which nearly became the name of the show.
Star Trek was ahead of its time. In the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and tensions with communist nations, the multi-racial cast included African Americans, Asians, and Soviets – which was unheard of at the time. Though set in space and on alien planets, the storylines directly reflected events of the time – war and peace, imperialism, class warfare, and human rights. Quickly, the cast of unknown actors rocketed to cult stardom in what became one of the most popular TV shows of all time.
Though the original Star Trek lasted just three seasons (a total of 79 episodes), it found renewed popularity when it went into reruns in 1969. In 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture made its successful debut. That success sparked five additional series, 12 more movies, comics, games, books, and more.