Science fact meets science fiction as London’s Science Museum celebrates Star Trek at 60

How many designers, inventors and scientists openly credit Star Trek as an influence and an inspiration? It’s not a small number, that’s for sure! The team behind the Motorola flip phone, by way of example, proudly based their design on the communicators from Star Trek: The Original Series. Modern tablets such the iPad are also based on devices that feature throughout the franchise…

That being the case, it makes perfect sense for London’s Science Museum to partner with CBS on a Star Trek Warp Trail. Stopping short of calling itself an exhibition, this find-it-yourself trail features props, costumes and objects from across the franchise as part of the celebrations for Star Trek at 60.

There are eight stopping-off points in the much-loved South Kensington venue. Some of these have just one item, others feature two or three or more. You can see original screen-worn costumes, for example, as well as insignia badges, energy-storage devices, medical equipment, communicators and – perhaps inevitably – a pop-up merch shop…

Naturally, the latter is populated with products from the great and good of licensing: Vanilla Underground, Running Press, Titan Books, Insight Editions, Metal Earth, Hornby and many others. There’s something to suit every budget, but there’re other reasons to visit the pop-up shop… First, you can find a couple more artefacts there! Second, this location gives you the chance to sit in a replica of the command chair from the bridge of the USS Discovery.

With all that said, where the Star Trek Warp Trail really comes into its own is the thinking behind the objects on display – and their placement in the museum! Where better, for example, than in the Engineers section to find the head of what appears to be Data, the android from Star Trek: The Next Generation? Illustrating the increasingly relevant concept of artificial intelligence, this screen-used prop is actually the head of the prototype-Data android, B-4.

For consistency, each exhibit is shown with the same layout: the rarely seen object is inside a glass case adorned by two plaques. The first explains the real-world science behind the fiction. The second then gives a little detail about the the prop and what it represents. Happily, situating the various objects throughout the museum means it’s quite easy to get distracted – and fascinated – by the innumerable non-fiction artefacts around you.

All in all, Star Trek Warp Trail is a pretty good way of capturing the attention of any fan and reminding them how much science and technology drive the franchise. As Dr. Glyn Morgan, Head of Collections and Principal Curator at the Science Museum, puts it: “Star Trek has invited audiences to be curious explorers for decades. That’s a mission we know something about at the Science Museum…”

Morgan continues: “As a cultural phenomenon, Star Trek, has played a real role in changing the world of STEM… From inspiring technical innovations to encouraging a generation of modern astronauts. I hope this Star Trek at 60 programme at the Science Museum inspires visitors to consider what might be possible if you boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Star Trek Warp Trail runs until September 2026. There’s also an opportunity to see all 13 Star Trek feature films in the Science Museum’s IMAX theatre. Not back-to-back, though… That would be insane! For more details, visit the museum website here.