by Mark Ollig
Copyright © 2016 Mark Ollig
A futuristic, science fiction television series, Star Trek, premiered Thursday
evening September 8, 1966 on NBC-TV.
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Copyright © 2016 Mark Ollig
It began as a five-year mission to explore strange new
worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations; however, it boldly fell
short by two years.
The series lasted three seasons, turning out 79
action-packed episodes, and creating a whole new science fiction fandom
subculture called “Trekkies.”
Yes, I was a Trekkie.
Todays preferred description is Trekker, which I also favor.
Canadian actor William Shatner played the heroic
protagonist, Captain James T. Kirk, who was born in Iowa during the 23rd century.
“It was just a television show,” Shatner said shortly after
the series ended, during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.”
We Trekkers knew it was much more than a television show.
The science fiction series ignited the imagination, and
provided encouragement to the younger generation, who faithfully watched each
week’s episode.
Some of these young viewers went on to become astronauts,
engineers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and computer programmers.
“Star Trek” also influenced this moonlighting columnist,
whose day job is in telecommunications.
The series reassured us things would turn out alright for
humanity, that we would set aside our warring differences and work together;
not “blow ourselves up with nuclear weapons.”
We could take a break from reality, and immerse ourselves
inside each adventurous, hour-long “Star Trek” episode.
The show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry envisioned a “wagon
train to the stars,” and hired excellent actors and writers with creative and
imaginative minds to bring his dream into fruition on television.
After spending time over the years watching William Shatner
speak and take questions during Star Trek conventions, reading the books he
wrote, and seeing the independent films he created about “Star Trek,” I think
he finally understands why the series was so popular.
In addition to the action, camaraderie, and relationships
between the leading characters, some young viewers were inspired by the
futuristic technology used onboard the starship USS Enterprise.
Many of these young minds worked to make “Star Trek”
technology a reality.
For example, in the starship’s sickbay, a patient on a
hospital bed would have their vital signs continuously monitored and shown on a
display screen on the wall above their bed.
There were no physical arm cuffs, tubes, or wires connected
to the patient.
Information on the display screen instantly informed Dr.
McCoy or Nurse Chapel of the patient’s vital signs, and if they were within
acceptable medical limits.
Recently, I discovered a medical device company called Hoana
Medical located in Honolulu, HI, which makes the LifeBed Patient Vigilance
System.
The LifeBed continuously tracks respiratory and heart rates
– without direct physical contact to the patient lying on the bed.
A patient’s vital signs are monitored via sensors embedded
in the LifeBed’s mattress cover.
The medical vital signs are shown on a display screen
positioned on the wall above the head of the patient – just like on “Star
Trek.”
If the patient’s heart or respiratory rate drifts outside of
(adjustable) medical limits, the LifeBed will immediately alert medical
personnel using the hospital’s notification system.
The LifeBed can also inform medical personnel whether the
patient is in bed.
“To use the system, the patient simply lies on the bed.
Within seconds, sensors embedded under a mattress coverlet start capturing
signals generated by the patient – even through bed linens and multiple layers
of patient clothing. By tracking these signals, the system provides continuous
vigilance, observing the patient when the nurse is away from the room,”
According to Hoana Medical’s website.
The LifeBed with its display screen looks amazingly like the
one used in the sickbay on “Star Trek.”
The website for the LifeBed is http://tinyurl.com/LifeBed.
This is just one of the many examples of “Star Trek”
technology which have become a reality.
During a “Red Alert” condition on the bridge of the USS
Enterprise NCC 1701, Captain Kirk, when fighting the Klingons or other
hostiles, would occasionally give the order to: “Fire phasors!”
Today, the US Navy has successfully installed and operates a
laser (phasor), called Laser Weapon System (LaWS) onboard the navy ship USS
Ponce (AFSB (I) 15).
“We ran this particular weapon, a prototype, through some
extremely tough paces, and it locked on and destroyed the targets we designated
with near-instantaneous lethality,” said Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder, chief of
naval research.
The US Navy expects the laser to be used on guided-missile
destroyers and combats ships by 2023.
The laser will also be used with airborne and ground-based
weapon systems – fighter jets may be using them by 2020.
LaWS operates using electrical power.
The US Navy released an impressive video demonstration of LaWS
in action at http://tinyurl.com/NavyPhasor.
We will need to wait a while for the transporter and warp
drive to be invented; although sources tell me they are being worked on.
Congratulations “Star Trek” on your 50th anniversary.
I also want to shout-out a “happy birthday” to my brother,
Mike.
Follow my journey through cyberspace
via my @bitsandbytes Twitter user name.
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| LifeBed Patient Vigilance System (Photo used with permission from Hoana Medical) |
