16
votes
Accepted
Was the design of the Peacekeepers inspired by the Stormtrooper design?
Firstly, the Peacekeepers didn't always look quite so much like Stormtroopers. In the first film, their helmets didn't encase their whole heads nor have those one-way visors of black glass:
I found ...
- 134k
16
votes
Accepted
Is the Klingon Bird of Prey a Canada Goose?
[Posting this as an answer at original poster's request.]
I can't find a source to cite this unfortunately, but I recall watching a "behind-the-scenes" show years ago where someone (presumably the ...
- 8,543
15
votes
Is the Klingon Bird of Prey a Canada Goose?
In-Universe
The shape and design of the Klingon ship were modelled on a fictional Romulan bird. The Klingon Bird-of-Prey was an updated version of the Romulan Bird-of-Prey from TOS: Balance of Terror.
...
- 677k
13
votes
Why do these communicators from Star Trek differ?
Those appears to be a natural result of Moiré patterns, which occur when you have overlapping repeating patterns.
Please see this Google search
Although I believe the prop may be based two sets of ...
- 59.4k
10
votes
Accepted
M5 and Beta 5 computers in Star Trek TOS; who designed the props and what inspired the circular computer screens?
You have asked two questions.
Who designed the props?
NKCampbell generously provided information in his comment below:
the prop master for "Assignment: Earth" was named Irving Feinberg fwiw....
- 2,021
9
votes
What is the name of this Sci-Fi Circular Interface Seen on Computers and Holograms?
These appear to be very large and detailed forms of what is normally known (when it appears on a real-world computer screen) as a "ring menu." The term "pie menu" is also attested, but it seems to be ...
- 95.6k
8
votes
Accepted
Why are there so many cramped "tube" spaces in Star Trek?
Like pretty much everything in Star Trek, it's a combination of "inspired by reality", "made to fit a TV budget", and "whatever drama requires".
"Inspired by reality&...
- 1,819
7
votes
Accepted
Was Heart of Gold designed after Aries 1B or USS Discovery?
It appears not. According to an inside look at Cinesite, the company responsible for the film's visual effects, the good ship Heart of Gold was originally modelled after a teapot (emphasis mine, and ...
- 163k
7
votes
Why are there so many cramped "tube" spaces in Star Trek?
"I thought they were all called Jefferies Tubes, but it seems those are only the ones that go to the warp engines"
You were right the first time. The little tunnels throughout the ship ARE ...
- 16.7k
7
votes
Why does Earth-833 look like this?
Beck explained that he was too late to save "his Earth" from the Elementals and that they eventually destroyed it. If I remember correctly the hologram eventually shows this with the Molten-...
- 143k
5
votes
How were artificial boulders and rocky outcroppings & edifices constructed for the sets of the original Star Trek episodes?
This is partial atm:
This only references one or two episodes, so cannot speak for all of the sets during the series construction and run, however, some of this is interesting:
Ladder to the Stars: ...
- 1,707
3
votes
How were artificial boulders and rocky outcroppings & edifices constructed for the sets of the original Star Trek episodes?
The boulders were generally spraypainted foam. I suspect the rock faces were made of the same material. Trying to find a quote for it... Here are two pieces being sold online. I've also seen ...
- 216k
3
votes
M5 and Beta 5 computers in Star Trek TOS; who designed the props and what inspired the circular computer screens?
Circular screens, and horizontal/vertical linear lights of Star Trek TOS computers:
I just ran across these images in Theclever.com's 15 Huge Supercomputers That Were Less Powerful Than Your ...
- 8,552
3
votes
Accepted
Why do these communicators from Star Trek differ?
This was addressed in an article on TrekCore. In short, props were often made for the show to order, based on the needs to the episode and the availability of the various components. Some of the parts ...
- 677k
2
votes
Accepted
Possible in-universe explanations for LCARS redesign in Nemesis
For in-universe explanations, it probably has a similar logic to the DS9/First Contact uniform change, that it's just more "militaristic" looking and reflects a shift in mindset. Same goes for updated ...
- 36
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