On December 29th, 1964 – forty-seven years ago today – the original filming model of the U.S.S. Enterprise was delivered to the Howard Anderson Company. Model maker Richard C. Datin, Jr., who worked for the company and oversaw the efforts of craftsmen Mel Keys, Vernon Sion, and Volmer Jensen, constructed the 11-foot “miniature” from a 1-foot prototype Datin himself built. The prototype and the larger model were of course based on the design created by Star Trek production artist Walter M. “Matt” Jefferies. After taking possession of the model, Datin would make a few minor adjustments prior to its use during the filming of the original Star Trek series’ first pilot, “The Cage.” He subsequently would make alterations to the model for the second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” and again once the show sold to NBC and filming began on the series’ first season.
CLICK TO ENLARGE (L-R: Richard C. Datin, Jr. Mel Keys, Vernon Sion)
As most of you probably know, the model has been on display off and on in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. It originally hung in one of the first-level galleries during the late 1970s and early-mid 1980s. I snapped these two pictures with my crappy 110 camera in early 1986:
(Click to enlarge.)
After a major restoration it was displayed as part of a temporary Star Trek exhibit during the mid 1990s. These days, it can be found on display in the lower level of the museum’s main gift store.
On January 24th of this year, Richard C. Datin passed away. After writing this piece honoring him and his contributions, I was contacted by his daughter. I had the privilege of corresponding and speaking with her about her dad and his life and career while conducting research for a tribute I eventually wrote for Star Trek Magazine. Though he had a very long career both in and out of Hollywood, Mr. Datin remained proud of his work for Star Trek, which continues to influence the franchise to this day.
This is post is some hardcore fandom. I never really got into Star Trek or Star Wars as a kid, and in fact only just recently watched the Star Wars Trilogy out of curiosity. Now I understand the draw that SciFi fantasy has for it’s followers. Chewbacca is by far the best character in the history of cinematic theater as far as I’m concerned.
While I don’t wear costumes to conventions or anything like that, I’m pretty unapologetic about being a fan, particularly of the original series. I also have an interest in the production itself (behind the scenes, etc.). The Enterprise model itself is one of those special pieces of “history,” not only as part of the show itself but also the influence it’s had.
how dare you talk about chewbacca in this post lumpy mclumperson.
Ahhh!!! Please don’t hurt me! I meant James T. Kirk is the best ever! (Please say I got that right).
Chewbacca’s da bomb. Not everybody can pull off that look, after all.
Although I am primarily a Star Trek fan, I love the wookiee. So much so, that that has been my nickname since 1977.
I forgot to identify myself.
Now that is awesome. I imagine if I were to play Star Wars as a kid I would have been forced to be Leia but I’d want to be Chewbacca. I’m going to watch Star Trek sometime this week. Although, my kid warned me that the new movie isn’t the same experience.
The newest Trek movie is definitely a different animal than just about everything which has come before. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve been a fan of the original Star Trek since I was in diapers, and I had a ball watching the new flick.
As for Star Wars: whenenver uppity Wars fans give you shit, just show them a picture of Jar-Jar Binks and ask, “What the fuckity fuck?” It’s like holding a cross up to a vampire.
He also got the best lines, never missed a mark, and his hair was always perfect. For a Wookie, that is.
Wookie Stylist: The Great Unappreciated Profession.
Dick was also an essential part of the State of Nevada’s Railroad Museum in Carson City. It would not be what it is today without his efforts.
Absolutely! I learned quite about Mr. Datin’s post-Hollywood life and career thanks to my correspondence and conversations with his daughter, and I wanted to include some of that in the tribute piece I ended up writing for Star Trek Magazine. My editor at the magazine allowed that article to be posted at Colin Campbell’s website, alongside Mr. Datin’s obituary and other tributes: Colin.org: Richard C. Datin, Jr.
This man deserves the attention and accolade. His model is the foundation for almost every Federation vessel within the canon of the entire universe. It’s sort of humbling and mind-boggling if you think about it, especially since you can see so much of the era’s cultural influence (and, indeed, their ability to transcend it) in the original design. Thanks for the short history lesson.
Always happy to be of service. The original Enterprise remains my personal favorite.
To me, it is the most realistic spaceship (outside of the ships in “2001: A Space Odyssey”) that Hollywood has ever attempted. My father worked for Lockheed in the ’60s, and I saw a lot of the artwork that NASA designers came up with for some of their concepts. Very little aesthetic, complete functionallity; something like the way the International Space Station looks today. The Enterprise design followed that idea; gone was the supersleek chrome spaceship designs of the 1950′s, and, instead there was this ugly (in a Volkswagen kind of way) ship that couldn’t exist any where but in the middle of deep space. Ugly but friendly, and homey.
The Discovery is another one of my favorites (along with the Leonov from 2010. I’ve never really been a fan of the “rocket/saucer” look from a lot of 50s SF films, even though I may like the movies themselves.
Speaking of NASA and their designs, that reminds me of my favorite episode from the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon: the one where they design the Lunar Module. May not have been the sexiest ride around, but it was a rather sweet little ship.
Thanks for sharing this – living in Australia, we don’t as a rule get to see anything as iconic as this. And I’ve been a Trekkie since the Original series first aired. Much appreciated.
Thanks for giving it a look!
Years in the future it will probably influence the design of real ships.
Had the pleasure of seeing the old girl during the 25th anniversary display at the Smithsonian. It was a huge thrill to be in her presence, though I must admit I was not impressed with the restoration paint job they gave her. At least she has a good, caring home! Now, about that Galileo shuttlecraft…
I saw her for the first time in 1986, before those restorations. Even though the nerd in me noticed the incorrect sensor dish and nacelle caps, she still looked great hanging from the ceiling of that gallery.
He deserves the tribute. As mentioned, his design influenced decades of TV and movie development as far as ships in the Star Trek Universe is concerned. I salute you!! You lived long and you prospered! Well done Sir!!
when i visited the ASM back in the late 80′s i got a few photos like you have here–wish digital photography was around then–seeing that model was just as exciting as seeing The spirit of st louis and glamourus glennis. when they did the star trek exhibit early 90s i was shocked at how over weathered the model was–seeing the original series Enterprise and the movie version together was amazing–still no digital photos so i couldn’t blow a whole roll–had to pay for processing back then.
Those two pics from the 80s were taken with one of those old 110 pocket cameras, with the film inside a sealed plastic cartridge. Ah, the good old days.
Well, I guess I’m one year older than you…old friend, so let me just say, “Happy 47th Birthday.”
I saw her in NYC, back in the 90s, in one of the museums. Along with the DY-500 {Kah’s} sleeper ship.
If I find the pics….I’ll post them.
Happy New Year.
I wouldn’t mind seeing those. Not at all
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The ship and crew will always go to where no man will go, wish I could go with them
The real beauty is…that despite it being 1964…the designer has managed to resist including most of the significant styling cues one would expect from this era…especialy ‘fins’ (check the cars in the back of shot above)…this showed real foresight and has lead to this original star ship design being at the core of technological advancement throughout the ‘Star Trek’ universe…a masterpiece!
The genesis of the model’s design is almost as fascinating as the end result. If you’ve never read it, try to track down a copy of The Star Trek Sketchbook. One section is devoted to Matt Jefferies, and within that are his early sketches for what eventually became the Enterprise. The evolution is quite interesting.
Happy day of your Birth U.S.S ENTERPRISE N C C 1701. LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!!!!!!!!!
The first and the best Enterprise!
The picture was a treat. SO many CRAFTSMEN are gone, and their artistry has been replaced by a guy with a digitizer and 6 million lines of code, no paint, no glue, no wood. Yes some of the new work is impressive, but…what many of these past pioneers did with real solid materials for the models and sets (before green screen) should be many documentaries. I am more impressed by their work (that we did not even realize at the time) than the digital arts today. Craftsmanship was at the core of much of the modern worlds growth for centuries…until now.
Digital modeling is as much art and craft as physical modeling; it’s just a different set of skills coming into play.
That said, I don’t think CGI models are quite “there” yet, despite the constant improvements and advancing of the technology. Still, I’ve seen some truly breathtaking imagery rendered via computer.
Read this years back in a Gene Roddenberry biography. Not sure if it’s well-known, but the Enterprise design done by Roddenberry was actually intrnded to be upside-down from what ended up being used. He went into a development meeting with studio execs and they were looking at a crude miniature and didn’t know he actually intended the saucer and nacells to be on the underside. They so loved the design (and therefore brought the series closer to being made), Rodenberry didn’t correct them and thus the configuration was born.
all the enterprises are cool i always imagine me being captain of ncc 170i.a enterprise
Went to the museum in June and was disappointed that the display case was completely unlit. I asked about it and they said they were working on getting the lights in the case back on. I hope they keep it up as a worthy historical display. Heck, put it in the TV museum instead … whatever will get it the most love.
neat..
There are currently talks going on to once again restore this iconic piece of TV history to how she originally appeared.
Who’s having these talks? I’ve heard rumblings and rumors about another possible restoration effort, but nothing from any of the folks I’d expect to have at least some level of involvement.
The model of the original Enterprise is the Holy Grail of Sci-Fi. I can’t look at it without hearing…Da ta TAAA!
I tend to favor the 1701 refit and the 1701-A. But it all started with this baby. I once day dreamed of having a TV room designed exactly like the Enterprise bridge. In some form or fashion the Enterprise will influence real technology if it hasn’t already. Many of the fantasy aspects of the show either were being tested as a real option or succeeded becoming reality. The diagnostic bed was being conjured up by the military. The Hypo spray? Well it exists today. Warp drive is the next thing that will become a reality one day.
I’d be okay with the transporter being made widely available. No more commutes to/from work!
The military actually visited the bridge set one day to study its design.
She’s a beautiful lady. Just too bad that JJ Abrams and company had to go and transform her into a “hot rod whore” for his Star Trek: 90210.
I agree with you on the JJ Abrams version of the Enterprise.. It’s OK but not as good as the TV or TOS movie versions..
I ever want to fly Enterprise )
eu gostei bonito maravilhoso
Aye, she’s a beauty.
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no bloody A, B, C, or D
I saw the model at the Smithsonian many years ago. I didn’t expect to see it, so it must not have been in conjunction with any of the special exhibits you mention. I am a first-generation Trekkie (pre-reruns) and to turn a corner and see Enterprise, what a thrill that was! Thanks for reminding us.
I’m just seeing to my geeky duty.
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Great article and photo. Thanks for sharing them. These are the unsung heroes of the production, the guys that actually made it happen. Seeing the model at the Smithsonian many years ago was somewhat emotional and a treat too.
Thanks! I make a point to visit the NASM whenever I’m in D.C., just so I can drop in on the old girl and see how she’s doing.
All I can say is ,she always has and always shall be my friend
Had a chance to visit the old girl in September when we were in DC, she’s still hanging cool, even though the paints not quite correct, especially the lines. Takes me back to Dad’s shop and the great smell of paint, plastic and wood in ’64.
Thanks for “dropping by!” Hope all is well with you and yours, and that you had a great Christmas!