Gizmodo: gene roddenberry

Gene Roddenberry's 1984 Original Macintosh for Sale

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT

Would you like to write a saga about a spaceship with a womanizing captain, an awkward scientist/philosopher, a maniacal doctor, a drunk engineer, a voluptuous communications officer, a communist pilot, and a gay helmsman? Well, this Macintosh 128 won't help.

If your name were Gene Roddenberry, however, that would have been a piece of cake. Still, if you are an Star Trek fan, you may be interested in bidding for this original Macintosh 128 with serial number F4200NUM0001, owned by the sci-fi genius himself. According to that number, it was the 776th Mac 128, manufactured during the 20th week of 1984 in Fremont, California.

It's exactly like the one I have—including the Macintosh team signatures etching inside—except mine was manufactured on the 28th week of 1984.

Profiles in History—who got all their facts wrong in their press release, hopefully not the bit about this being Roddenberry's computer—is going to auction the computer and the extra floppy drive at the beginning of October. It has an estimated sale price of $800 to $1200, which seems quite cheap, knowing who the owner was. [Dvice]

Gizmodo Gallery 2009
Groupe
267 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012

Gallery Dates:
September 23rd-27th

Times:

9/22 Tuesday
Media Day by appointment only. For info please contact gallery@gizmodo.com.

9/23 Wednesday
12-8

9/24 Thursday
12-8

9/25 Friday
12-8

9/26 Saturday
11-8
9-? - Live KCRW Show

9/27 Sunday
11-6

Read more about our Giz Gallery 09 here, follow @gizgallery on Twitter and see what else we'll be playing with at the event. And special thanks to Toyota's Prius — without their sponsorship, there would be no Gizmodo Gallery.

Star Trek Creator's Widow Left $4 Million To Her Dogs

Sean Fallon — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:40:00 EDT

Using money she earned through her voice over work on the Star Trek light dimmer, Majel Roddenberry was able to set up a trust for her dogs to the tune of $4 million.

A domestic employee named Reinelda Estupinian—the person who cared for the pups —gets $1 million and the right to live in the mansion with the dogs... Majel claimed Reinelda deserves the massive stack of cash because she "did an excellent job of caring for my animals (giving them comparable or better care than that which I gave them during my lifetime)."

Neeedless to say, the only thing better than being the dog of Gene and Majel Roddenberry is being their son. Apparently he gets $60 million up front, a Bel-Air mansion, and $10 million bonuses just for staying alive long enough to reach 35, 40 and 45. That, my friend, could buy you a lot of Star Trek sporks and cologne. But he and the dogs probably get that stuff for free too. So jealous. [TMZ via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett to Go Forever Where No One Has Gone Before

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST

Is there such a thing as feeling yourself flying, loving someone forever? I know there is. But failing that, you can spend eternity in space, like Gene and Majel, who are going there shortly.

Yes, the remains of Gene Roddenberry—the creator of Star Trek, in case you are damn philistine—and wife Majel Barrett—the voice of the Enterprise—will be launched soon into orbit.

Unlike the last time, where Majel sent part of her husband remains into Earth orbit, this time the rocket will send them deeper into space to never return to Earth, according to Celestis' spokeswoman Susan Schonfeld.

Godspeed, Majel and Gene, Godspeed and thanks for all the fish. Here's the most romantic song ever—by Ziggy, the Starman himself—to celebrate your last trip together, forever. [Buzz Newsroom]

Majel Barret: The Voice of the Enterprise Dies

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:40:00 EST

Glad Joel posted this, because I almost missed it: Majel Barret joined her husband Gene Roddenberry Where Many People Have Gone Before. Maybe you think you don't know her, but you do.

You have heard her voice many times: She was the voice of the Enterprise's computer. She died yesterday age 76.

The First Lady of Star Trek, as she was known, married Roddenberry in Japan in August 1969, after the end of the original Star Trek TV series. She also worked in other TV shows, like Bonanza, The Untouchables, and The Lucy Show, with Lucille Ball. She also was the voice of the USS Enterprise in every single movie and TV episode of Star Trek.

She then returned in The Next Generation, trying to take the underpants off Jean Luc Picard as Ambassador Lwaxana Troi, and returned to the screen in Deep Space Nine, where she was actually able to take off the underpants of Constable Odo.

Her last work in the Star Trek universe was was two weeks ago, reprising her role as the voice of the mighty Federation ship for the new Star Trek movie by J.J. Abrams. [Mercury News and Wikipedia via Boing Boing Gadgets]