Star Trek

http://www.startrek.com/
Star Trek began in the early 1960's as an idea in the mind of Gene Roddenberry, a World War II veteran and former L.A. policeman who had become an established television writer/producer and was determined to bring his vision of a serious, thoughtful science fiction drama to the air. Pitched as "Wagon Train to the stars," Star Trek, after a few false starts, became a reality in 1966 in primetime on NBC.

The show was only a minor hit and was threatened with cancellation after its second year, but a surprisingly strong letter-writing campaign from fans convinced the network to keep the show on for another year. But the ratings were unspectacular, and Star Trek was terminated with little hope of any future.

Fortunately, after three years enough episodes were produced that the show could enter syndication, and it was in the after-school market during the early 1970's that the show found its audience. Fan conventions sprang up, merchandising blossomed, an animated series with the original cast was produced, and it became apparent that Star Trek was a force that would refuse to die.

Today, the franchise first conceived by Gene Roddenberry four decades ago has spawned four more television series, 10 theatrical movies, hundreds of books and magazines, and innumerable Internet fan sites.