Illinois Fans Celebrate 50 Years Of Star Trek
In this photo taken Wednesday, May 18, 2016, a model of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) hangs above an exhibit for a 50th anniversary celebration of the Star Trek television show and films at the EMP Museum, in Seattle. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
This year, fans from around the world are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek. The show first aired on television in September 8th, 1966 with a less than stellar reception from critics.
Many fans, on the other hand, were already hooked by the first episode. They saw a show that represented the endless possibility of the universe, the fascination, the freedom, and what it is like to live life a little more boldly.
Deane Geiken, of Champaign, was only a year old when the original series debuted but he, like so many other fans, discovered the show in reruns. He was only 8 when he first joined the cultural phenomena that was, and is, Star Trek.
Fellow Trekkie and University of Illinois journalism student Ashley Miller caught up with Geiken as he prepared to celebrate the 50th with his teenage daughter.