CLEVELAND, Ohio - Of all the pop culture milestones that came in 2016, among the biggest was the 50th anniversary of the 1966 debut of the "Star Trek" television series. Gene Roddenberry's ground-breaking "wagon train to the stars" introduced audiences to Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise on Sept. 8, 1966.

The television show went on to spawn four spin-off television shows and 13 feature films, as well as countless novels, comic books, toys, action figures and more.

Fifty years later, "Star Trek" is still relevant. We watch the reboot movies, buy "Trek" T-shirts and anxiously await the latest "Trek" iteration -- "Star Trek: Discovery" -- coming to CBS All Access in 2017.

Why has "Star Trek" - a show that lasted only three seasons - had this kind of longevity? To mark the golden anniversary of "Star Trek," we took this question to people from all walks of life. We wanted to know how this pop culture phenomenon had affected their lives.

Plain Dealer graphic artist William Neff and features reporter Julie Washington came to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, a science museum that teaches about the exploration of space seen in "Star Trek," to talk to scientists, engineers, students and writers to find out how "Star Trek" influenced their lives. We also spoke to members of the Akron Star Trek fan club to get their thoughts on why "Star Trek" has endured for half a century.

Thanks to the Great Lakes Science Center for use of its facility.

Plain Dealer videographer Jon Fobes contributed sound design.

Today's video is "Star Trek" Reflections: First Memories of "Star Trek," featuring Plain Dealer television critic Mark Dawidziak and Great Lakes Science Center president and CEO Kirsten Ellenbogen.

Here are links to the previous videos:

Monday, Dec. 26: "Star Trek" Reflections: Introduction



Tuesday, Dec. 27: "Star Trek" Reflections: The Impact and Significance of "Star Trek"



Come back to Cleveland.com this week to see a series of 90-second videos examining various aspects of the "Star Trek's" meaning. Here is the schedule:

Thursday, Dec. 29: "Star Trek" Reflections: What's Your Favorite Episode? It features Brian Palaszewski of NASA Glenn Research Center; Sarah Pavolko of Cuyahoga Falls; science fiction authors Geoffrey Landis and Mary Turzillo; and Great Lakes Science Center President and CEO Kirsten Ellenbogen.

Friday, Dec. 30: "Star Trek" Reflections: The Future of "Star Trek"