We’ve recently acquired “The Star Trek Guide”, a photo-copied booklet distributed to the writers working on the original series of the television show.

The guide explains each character (Captain Kirk is described as “a space-age Horatio Hornblower”) and aspects of the show’s mythology, reviews available set and costume limitations:

…details the standard episode format:

… gives guidance on what situations would be inappropriate for the show:

(the answer is the fourth option: Concept weak)

…and offers fascinating insight into aspects such as budgets, inspiration and research for stories (call your local NASA office!), and recreational drug use:

f AC95.A100.967s. The Star Trek Guide. 1967. Purchased with the Roger Eliot Stoddard Book Fund, 2011.

