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OnSeptember 8, 1966,
whole families sat mesmerized around one television in
their homes, silenced by the airing of the first episode of
Star Trek. Space, the final frontier. What wonders were
spawned from the imagination of Gene Roddenberry!
The show featured amazing tech devices and tools for
Nina Snyder
the characters to accomplish their missions. Doors opened
in a sliding fashion simply by crew approaching them,
communications were possible with a small ear device (not
unlike today’s cordless earbuds), and what really inspired
the medical world was the tricorder. Doctor McCoy—
followed by Doctors Pulaski, Bashir, and Crusher in
subsequent series—could use this device to scan, analyze,
and instantly diagnose medical conditions.
Imaginary tech devices first seen in shows like
Star Trek completely enabled a generation of engineers
to create their own devices to assist in all facets of daily
life. Because of these vivid imaginations, coupled with
Illustration by Jody West
ingenuity and engineering, we have been able
to create technical advances in many industries,
including law enforcement.
30 | JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2022 AMERICANJails
