I was at that convention. It was my first science fiction convention I was 17 years old at he time and I remember it. I sort of recall it was at the New York Hilton and it was packed. You had to wait in a line to get in and there were thousands of people there - I think it was about 5,000 and no one expected that many people to come. I remember that they had an awesome mock up of the transporter room that blew my young mind at the time .
These early conventions were the best. I was at the 1973 convention at the Conrad Hilton hotel in Chicago. It went on for three days. There was a 24 hr. film festival and a related art gallery and a great costume contest. Anybody else been there?
Anyone who wants to make new Trek should watch this video. Star Trek is incredibly, uniquely inspiring... when it's done right. It's important that the next iteration bear that in mind.
It was at the COMMODORE Hotel, as evidenced by the shot at the poduim. I recall it well, it was right next to Grand Central Terminal, and I got a cab from Penn Station when I could have taken the subway, but I was just a dumb kid! I still have photos I took there, I should get them blown up. You could get up in the balcony around the main ballroom and peer down at everything. Great memories!
I was there, too. I was a tiny high school student. First time my mom allowed me on the NYC subway into Manhattan alone! (D Train) Barbara Wenk kindly let me sneak into the con via the back elevators because I had a presold ticket but they were making everyone stand on line to buy tickets (for hours!) on Friday night, and didn't have a way to handle the presold tickets. By Saturday, they figured out that they needed a special presold ticket line, so I was able to get my badge and con booklet quickly. They couldn't believe so many would show up!
Thank you for uploading this. 1973's the year before I went to my first convention. What an amazing new thing it was: a gathering of thousands for a dead tv show.
Man, did you catch Isaac Asimov? What a fantastic analysis of the Prime Directive, and what "Star Trek" was saying. Think about when that show first came out, 1966 to 1969, and what was going on? The Vietnam War. And here's Asimov pointing out the philosophy of "Star Trek" that people have a right to live in their OWN cultures and not be overtaken by other, more powerful cultures. Like America's, or Russia's. Can there be any doubt that Gene Roddenberry had some of that in his mind when he created this show? There was a lot more to it than just people dressing up in weird costumes at conventions....although, come on, if you're with your own kind (your own culture, so to speak) it sounds like fun, doesn't it?
Thank you for this. I was too young and too far away to attend. I could only read about it. :(. Had no idea any videos had been uploaded here until today.
@nakedstupidity I'll take your bet, because you lose. DeForest Kelley said he met people all the time who said they were inspired to go in to medicine because of Dr. McCoy. James Doohan met people all the time who said they went into engineering because of Scotty. Shatner and Nimoy are beloved by many real astronauts. Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has a sci-fi museum in Seattle filled with Star Trek memorabilia because he loves the show. All your "hunch" is is smug arrogance.
Ah, the brotherhood of intelligence, this is what was so appealing at the time and up till recently, and also what that horror show that is Picard completely lost, as it’s just a chaotic illogical mess of feels.
I used to fish with the gentleman who owned the property Desilu filmed on. He used his WW2 GI Bill money to buy hunting land, and they rented it from him for $5000 a day, 9 months of the year. And that began with 1950 money.
The guy who invented the first Cellular Phone did so because he wanted a Star Trek Communicator. Ron McNair, who died on the Challenger went into space because of Star Trek, specifically because of Nichelle Nichols.
@JuventasOne Hmmm.... It must have been the 1972 convention then because I remember it was the Hilton. I just googled it up and the '72 convention was the one at the Hilton (also the FIRST ST con according to memory Alpha) and the crowd problems it mentioned were consistent with my memory. I guess I was 16 then. Very cool memories. And yeah, that's my user name. Got a problem with that junior? LMAO .
@DesiluTrek Your right. In fact, I went to see William Shatner's new broadway show, and scientists from JPL were sitting right behind me. They were cheering like crazy.
@setsunacutey If you are a nostalgic science fiction fan (like me), I strongly recommend the documentary "Back To Space Con". Check it out. Its a real treat, like a time machine.
Megan, I'm willing to bet that the scientists, inventors and technologist that advanced science on the wings of Star Trek's imagination were not the kind to dress up, adorn Spock ears and fawn uncontrollably over being in the company of the original actors. Just a hunch.
I want to point out to all the current fanboys who bitch and moan that teh wimmin-fans are invading their precious media conventions that MOST OF THE FANS WHO WENT TO THE FIRST MEDIA CONVENTIONS WERE WOMEN. I was at this convention and more than 80% of the people there were girls or women. The only reason any guys at all are in this clip show is because news cameras tended to zero in on any male fans in the audience whenever possible, and still, most of the fans interviewed in this are women. We fangirls welcomed anyone who wanted to come and share the fun.
![[RARE] Star Trek "The Menagerie" TV Special hosted by Leonard Nimoy [VHS]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hMmOSjMSg9w/mqdefault.jpg)
I was at that convention. It was my first science fiction convention I was 17 years old at he time and I remember it. I sort of recall it was at the New York Hilton and it was packed. You had to wait in a line to get in and there were thousands of people there - I think it was about 5,000 and no one expected that many people to come. I remember that they had an awesome mock up of the transporter room that blew my young mind at the time .
Me too. I was 19.
Pretty awesome to get the rubber stamp of approval from Isaac Asimov
I love the primitive cosplay. But, the guy with half a lobster stuck to his forehead...
Man has a certain type of "fish food" on the brain! Lol !
RIP: Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, and Gene Roddenberry
+snakes3425 And Asimov! :)
DC Fontana passed away yesterday. Another ST founder has passed on to the great beyond. RIP.
DC Fontana passed away yesterday. Another ST founder has passed on to the great beyond. RIP.
DC Fontana passed away yesterday. Another ST founder has passed on to the great beyond. RIP.
Meanwhile William Shatner: "Wheeee! Going to space!"
The founding fathers of cosplay.
These early conventions were the best. I was at the 1973 convention at the Conrad Hilton hotel in Chicago. It went on for three days. There was a 24 hr. film festival and a related art gallery and a great costume contest. Anybody else been there?
If they only knew then just how much Star Trek would follow in the decades after this.
Anyone who wants to make new Trek should watch this video. Star Trek is incredibly, uniquely inspiring... when it's done right. It's important that the next iteration bear that in mind.
DC Fontana passed away yesterday. Another ST founder has passed on to the great beyond. RIP.
It was at the COMMODORE Hotel, as evidenced by the shot at the poduim. I recall it well, it was right next to Grand Central Terminal, and I got a cab from Penn Station when I could have taken the subway, but I was just a dumb kid! I still have photos I took there, I should get them blown up. You could get up in the balcony around the main ballroom and peer down at everything. Great memories!
I was there too. What an amazing event. We were young and strong in our numbers, united to get Star Trek back and we succeeded.
I was there, too. I was a tiny high school student. First time my mom allowed me on the NYC subway into Manhattan alone! (D Train) Barbara Wenk kindly let me sneak into the con via the back elevators because I had a presold ticket but they were making everyone stand on line to buy tickets (for hours!) on Friday night, and didn't have a way to handle the presold tickets. By Saturday, they figured out that they needed a special presold ticket line, so I was able to get my badge and con booklet quickly. They couldn't believe so many would show up!
Thank you for uploading this. 1973's the year before I went to my first convention. What an amazing new thing it was: a gathering of thousands for a dead tv show.
Man, did you catch Isaac Asimov? What a fantastic analysis of the Prime Directive, and what "Star Trek" was saying. Think about when that show first came out, 1966 to 1969, and what was going on? The Vietnam War. And here's Asimov pointing out the philosophy of "Star Trek" that people have a right to live in their OWN cultures and not be overtaken by other, more powerful cultures. Like America's, or Russia's. Can there be any doubt that Gene Roddenberry had some of that in his mind when he created this show? There was a lot more to it than just people dressing up in weird costumes at conventions....although, come on, if you're with your own kind (your own culture, so to speak) it sounds like fun, doesn't it?
WOW! SIR ISAAC (Asimov)!
Most excellent post! Thanks!
Asimov was a fantastic thinker. No wonder he was fond of Trek.
i miss those days star trek was the best ;;;;the future of man....and the ignorance not to believe it..,,i was always a believer of star trek forever,
Thank you for this. I was too young and too far away to attend. I could only read about it. :(. Had no idea any videos had been uploaded here until today.
This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen.
I was there.
westie18 mee too
Lynn Koehler See my comment on thread, Lynn, I added one.
AWESOME! thank you so much!
This is awesome.
love it
I've heard about, read about, this convention all my life. Thanks! 👍
@PizzaDinosaur People were actually somewhat educated in the mid 70's.
Awesome video!
@nakedstupidity I'll take your bet, because you lose. DeForest Kelley said he met people all the time who said they were inspired to go in to medicine because of Dr. McCoy. James Doohan met people all the time who said they went into engineering because of Scotty. Shatner and Nimoy are beloved by many real astronauts. Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has a sci-fi museum in Seattle filled with Star Trek memorabilia because he loves the show. All your "hunch" is is smug arrogance.
I sometimes forget how OLD fan conventions are. XD
They're much, much, older than that, having started in the late '30's.
Ah, the brotherhood of intelligence, this is what was so appealing at the time and up till recently, and also what that horror show that is Picard completely lost, as it’s just a chaotic illogical mess of feels.
"We're starting a club now!" LOL! I love this chick! See video at 1:55 / 6:40.
I used to fish with the gentleman who owned the property Desilu filmed on. He used his WW2 GI Bill money to buy hunting land, and they rented it from him for $5000 a day, 9 months of the year. And that began with 1950 money.
wow,emotional
The guy who invented the first Cellular Phone did so because he wanted a Star Trek Communicator. Ron McNair, who died on the Challenger went into space because of Star Trek, specifically because of Nichelle Nichols.
@JuventasOne Hmmm.... It must have been the 1972 convention then because I remember it was the Hilton. I just googled it up and the '72 convention was the one at the Hilton (also the FIRST ST con according to memory Alpha) and the crowd problems it mentioned were consistent with my memory. I guess I was 16 then. Very cool memories.
And yeah, that's my user name. Got a problem with that junior? LMAO .
Fantàstic document sobre EL fenomen cultural de caire utòpic més gran de la recent història.
@DesiluTrek Your right. In fact, I went to see William Shatner's new broadway show, and scientists from JPL were sitting right behind me. They were cheering like crazy.
They sound like Browncoats now.
jfc I think I see my dad... and my mom in there!
Fun
02:19 Isaac Asimov!
The fans look pretty well-adjusted and clean, what happened?????
@setsunacutey If you are a nostalgic science fiction fan (like me), I strongly recommend the documentary "Back To Space Con". Check it out. Its a real treat, like a time machine.
@mandrellian Good point. The great minds of Roddenberry and Asimov thought alike.
Megan, I'm willing to bet that the scientists, inventors and technologist that advanced science on the wings of Star Trek's imagination were not the kind to dress up, adorn Spock ears and fawn uncontrollably over being in the company of the original actors.
Just a hunch.
@Scienceorc no
@Scienceorc Calm down.
I want to point out to all the current fanboys who bitch and moan that teh wimmin-fans are invading their precious media conventions that MOST OF THE FANS WHO WENT TO THE FIRST MEDIA CONVENTIONS WERE WOMEN. I was at this convention and more than 80% of the people there were girls or women. The only reason any guys at all are in this clip show is because news cameras tended to zero in on any male fans in the audience whenever possible, and still, most of the fans interviewed in this are women. We fangirls welcomed anyone who wanted to come and share the fun.
The Vulcan edict. Brother hood and getting along with mankind. Gee, I think Christianity came up with those edicts way before Star Trek did.
WOW!! these fans are friggin off their rockers.
All I see is unbeaten nerds and lunch money that's not in my pocket 😐
Sorry, but Asimov comes across as very arrogant to me.