In the 1960s, Star Trek had to boldly go where no CGI was available. In the pre-digital era, special effects were decidedly less special than they are today—though, at the time, equally as captivating.

Portraying the 2260s rather than 1960s was always going to be a big lift, and the show’s make-up and costume designers, led by Bill Theiss, stepped up to the plate.

Taken on their own, these costumes can look absurdly unconvincing to today’s eyes—but at the time were a revelation to TV audiences. Much of their impact was that they appeared in a TV program that was dedicated to exploring not just the final frontier of space, but also the human condition. Now that was bold.

1966 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images.

1967 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1969 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1965 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1965 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1965 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1965 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1967 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1967 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1967 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1966 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1969 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images

1967 CBS Paramount Television / Getty Images