Boldly Iowan: He Hasn’t Even Been Born Yet but You’ve Probably Heard Of Him

Why do we look around in space? 

It’s good to know who your neighbors are. Hello Mercury, nice to see you, Neptune. Those rings look mighty fine Jupiter. I think Saturn is mooning us, it does have 146 of them. Jupiter could tell Saturn to hold its moon beer because Jupiter has 600 of em.  

How much do we know about these space types? Not much! In the grand scheme of things, we know a little. Now that NASA isn’t doing their space shuttle thing, it might be up to you and me. I’ll leave that to you. If they volley that space ball into my court, it looks like space travel will take a hit. I’m the Boeing of space travel. I forget a few parts here and there. 

According to NASA, we explore space because we gain a new perspective to study Earth and the solar system. Not only that but advancing new technology, can help us, humans. It’s also about inspiration for the arts, sciences, mathematics, and more.  

 A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? Not this time 

Normally Star Wars wins. While we’re on Star Wars, they are action figures, not dolls. This time we are headed into a galaxy far, far away, and maybe at light speed.  We’re not using a Millennium Falcon even though it did make the Kessel run in twelve parsecs. Our space travel will be done using an enterprise. The USS Enterprise featuring Captain James T. Kirk.  

Claiming a starship captain for your own 

Most times you can’t control where you are born. Not this time. Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek’s creator, wrote a book “The Making of Star Trek” and in it, he said that Captain Kirk would be born on March 22, 2233, In Riverside, IA. In case you didn’t know the date you still have time to go out and get him a gift.  

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Riverside was established in 1872 and incorporated in 1882. Riverside recently celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2022. Wikipedia says that in 1985 Riverside Iowa was looking for a theme for the annual town festival. The Riverside City Council unanimously approved a suggestion from member Steve Miller that they proclaim Riverside to be the birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. That move spurred the city's Trek Fest which continues to this day.  

 I Love Lucy actress Lucille Ball helped Star Trek 

Desilu Productions, owned by actress Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz kept Roddenberry’s dream alive. Ball divorced Arnaz in 1960 and shortly after Gene Roddenberry came to her, one of the most powerful females in Hollywood, to discuss his pilot that would eventually become Star Trek. Ball bought the series even though she didn’t quite understand it, allegedly. If not for her interest, it is widely believed the show would not have lasted beyond the pilot, “The Cage” Then, Riverside would have never been able to claim Captain James Tiberius Kirk as their own.