Star Trek Concordance
Encyclopedia
The Star Trek Concordance is a reference
book
by Bjo Trimble
about the television series Star Trek
. It contains summaries from episodes of The Original Series and The Animated Series
, as well as an encyclopedia of characters and technology from the series. It was used as a reference for writers of the show.
in 1968. Originally, Heydt compiled notes on 3x5 notecards. Trimble suggested they write a book, and as the pair watched episodes on television
, as well as on an early VCR, they made notes on which the book was based. In 1969, Trimble edited and self-published The Star Trek Concordance, covering the first two years of the series. In the Introduction to the Ballantine Concordance Trimble explains the origins of the book:
At one time, the Ballantine edition was the best-selling trade edition book
published in the United States. But due to Ballantine's concerns, at the time, of waning interest in Star Trek, it was decided to not reprint the book. An updated edition of the book would not be reprinted until 1995.
Bjo Trimble dedicates the book to three men, one of them series creator Gene Roddenberry
. She wrote, "Dedicated to... Gene Roddenberry for creating Star Trek in the first place." There is also an introduction by Trimble where she explains how the book was developed and acknowledges those who assisted her. The preface by Dorothy Jones Heydt, dated June 1968, follows. In it Heydt explains her contribution to the Concordance, as well as Roddenberry's concept of the stardate
:
True to its origins in fandom, the Fan Art chapter contains several fan drawings depicting U.S.S. Enterprise
personnel, aliens, other characters and Star Fleet insignias
.
The Timeline chapter features an episode timeline
in tabular format listing each episode by its stardate and page number. The first episode listed in the Timeline is "The Magicks of Megas-tu", stardate 1254.4, and the last episode is "Bem
", stardate 7403.6.
The Summaries part of the book contains the following chapters: First Season, Second Season, Third Season, and Animateds. A detailed plot summary and list of characters are provided for each episode. The first summary is "The Man Trap", air date September 8, 1966. The last summary is "The Counter-Clock Incident", air date October 12, 1974. The animated chapter is illustrated, unlike the live action chapters.
The Lexicon chapter is an extensive and exhaustive alphabetical encyclopedia of characters, planets, ships, medicine
, weaponry, etc., used in the series. It is also illustrated. Some entries in the Lexicon are provided for context. For example, there is an entry for author Lewis Carroll
, even though he doesn't appear in the series. His entry appears thus:
, at the time he came to Paramount
in the mid-70s, The Making of Star Trek and the Concordance were the only references in use. Trimble is acknowledged by the authors of Star Trek Encyclopedia and Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology
as a research consultant. Trimble said in 1999,
The Concordance contained errors, according to Arnold. For example, Susan Howard
from the "Day of the Dove" episode, was accidentally omitted. This error would be reproduced later in the The Star Trek Compendium and wouldn't be corrected until the second edition.
Reference
Reference is derived from Middle English referren, from Middle French rèférer, from Latin referre, "to carry back", formed from the prefix re- and ferre, "to bear"...
book
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by Bjo Trimble
Bjo Trimble
Betty Jo Trimble , universally known as Bjo ,is a significant figure in the history of science fiction fandom...
about the television series Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. It contains summaries from episodes of The Original Series and The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series is an animated science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe following the events of Star Trek: The Original Series of the 1960s...
, as well as an encyclopedia of characters and technology from the series. It was used as a reference for writers of the show.
History
The Concordance originated as a privately printed fandom publication by Dorothy Jones HeydtDorothy J. Heydt
Dorothy J. Heydt is a U.S. author of science fiction and fantasy. She lives on the U.S. West Coast and is an active participant in the Usenet newsgroups rec.arts.sf.written and rec.arts.sf.fandom, and in science fiction fandom in general. She is the originator of the Eight Deadly Words, and other...
in 1968. Originally, Heydt compiled notes on 3x5 notecards. Trimble suggested they write a book, and as the pair watched episodes on television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, as well as on an early VCR, they made notes on which the book was based. In 1969, Trimble edited and self-published The Star Trek Concordance, covering the first two years of the series. In the Introduction to the Ballantine Concordance Trimble explains the origins of the book:
At one time, the Ballantine edition was the best-selling trade edition book
Edition (book)
The bibliographical definition of an edition includes all copies of a book printed “from substantially the same setting of type,” including all minor typographical variants.- First edition :...
published in the United States. But due to Ballantine's concerns, at the time, of waning interest in Star Trek, it was decided to not reprint the book. An updated edition of the book would not be reprinted until 1995.
Overview
Integrated into the front cover is a moving wheel which cross-references episodes by title, star date, "call letters" and page in the book. This facilitates finding episodes in the book.Bjo Trimble dedicates the book to three men, one of them series creator Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer...
. She wrote, "Dedicated to... Gene Roddenberry for creating Star Trek in the first place." There is also an introduction by Trimble where she explains how the book was developed and acknowledges those who assisted her. The preface by Dorothy Jones Heydt, dated June 1968, follows. In it Heydt explains her contribution to the Concordance, as well as Roddenberry's concept of the stardate
Stardate
A stardate is a date in the fictional system of time measurement developed for Star Trek, commonly heard at the beginning of a voiceover log entry such as "Captain's log, stardate 41153.7...
:
True to its origins in fandom, the Fan Art chapter contains several fan drawings depicting U.S.S. Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
personnel, aliens, other characters and Star Fleet insignias
Starfleet uniforms
In the fictional Star Trek universe enlisted personnel and officers in the United Earth Starfleet and, later, the United Federation of Planets' Starfleet wear a variety of uniforms.-Star Trek: The Original Series:...
.
The Timeline chapter features an episode timeline
Timeline of Star Trek
Below is an abridged timeline of events established in the group of television shows and feature films set in the Star Trek universe. Many dates are estimates as the various shows and films are not consistent in their use of dates...
in tabular format listing each episode by its stardate and page number. The first episode listed in the Timeline is "The Magicks of Megas-tu", stardate 1254.4, and the last episode is "Bem
Bem (TAS episode)
"Bem" is an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series. This episode marks the first time that it is revealed that Captain James T. Kirk's middle initial stood for Tiberius, after the Roman emperor.-Plot outline:...
", stardate 7403.6.
The Summaries part of the book contains the following chapters: First Season, Second Season, Third Season, and Animateds. A detailed plot summary and list of characters are provided for each episode. The first summary is "The Man Trap", air date September 8, 1966. The last summary is "The Counter-Clock Incident", air date October 12, 1974. The animated chapter is illustrated, unlike the live action chapters.
The Lexicon chapter is an extensive and exhaustive alphabetical encyclopedia of characters, planets, ships, medicine
Medicine in Star Trek
Medicine in Star Trek refers to the medical technologies, procedures and conditions as seen in the Star Trek fictional universe.- Medical technology :...
, weaponry, etc., used in the series. It is also illustrated. Some entries in the Lexicon are provided for context. For example, there is an entry for author Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
, even though he doesn't appear in the series. His entry appears thus:
Use as reference material
According to Richard ArnoldRichard Arnold
Richard Arnold may refer to:*Richard Arnold * Richard Arnold , Major General in the American Civil War* Richard Arnold , former Star Trek Archivist for Paramount Studios...
, at the time he came to Paramount
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
in the mid-70s, The Making of Star Trek and the Concordance were the only references in use. Trimble is acknowledged by the authors of Star Trek Encyclopedia and Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology
Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology
Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology is a book written and edited by Stan and Fred Goldstein, and illustrated by Rick Sternbach. At the time of its publication it was the official history of the Star Trek universe...
as a research consultant. Trimble said in 1999,
The Concordance contained errors, according to Arnold. For example, Susan Howard
Susan Howard
Jeri Lynn Mooney , better known as Susan Howard, is an American actress, writer, and political activist; best known for portraying the character Donna Culver Krebbs on the soap opera Dallas, Maggie Petrocelli on the television show Petrocelli, and to Star Trek fans for portraying Mara, the first...
from the "Day of the Dove" episode, was accidentally omitted. This error would be reproduced later in the The Star Trek Compendium and wouldn't be corrected until the second edition.