Even though the original run of the Star Trek series wasn’t a galactic success, the show picked up a few million fans while in syndication during the early 1970s. What better time to release a few action figures based on the intrepid crew of the USS Enterprise?

In 1974 Mego released the first line of Star Trek toys to an eager nation. The first line consisted of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty and a Klingon; they all stood at eight inches, had bendable joints, removable uniforms and accessories, like phasers, communicators and tricorders. The dolls bore remarkable resemblance to the actors they represented, instead of having the bland “Ken” look. Captain Kirk was the most handsome, of course. The Klingon wasn’t as satisfactory as the other four action figures because his drab brown uniform hardly matched the actual Klingon uniforms shown in the episodes. He did the goatee though, so his evil alien cred wasn’t too damaged. A second toy line was simply the reissue of the first action figures with the addition of Lt. Uhura who sported real hair instead of the molded plastic kind. Her only accessory was a tricorder; luckily Mego didn’t equip her with a purse.

The first toy lines enjoyed enormous success so a third line, consisting entirely of Star Trek aliens was released in 1975. The Gorn, the Keeper, the Cheron and a Neptunian joined the ranks on the toy shelves. The big mystery then was who on earth invited the Neptunian to the party because there sure wasn’t any such alien in the show. In a group of completely fictional characters, this poor fellow was doubly fabricated. Another line of aliens was released the next year and included the furry Mugato, a Romulan, a Talosian and an Andorian. Mego hadn’t learned their lesson from the Neptunian gaffe and as a result the normally nude Mugato was decked out in groovy bellbottoms. Right on.

The action figures had their choice of two playsets: the USS Enterprise Action Set and the Mission to Gamma VI Playset. The Action Set was a box featuring the Enterprise spaceship exterior and opened up to reveal a replica of the main bridge, complete with the captain’s chair, a computer console and three screens that displayed changeable images. If you got tired of the screen choices, you could always insert your own pictures or photos to make it seem like your aunt Gladys was menacing the Enterprise. Also included was a transporter chamber that could accommodate the action figures. When you placed a figure (or half a cupcake, or your sister’s diary) in the chamber and turned the knob, the cylinder would rotate and dump the transportee out the back, then return empty to an open position once again. No special effects chicanery here, no sir. The Gamma VI Playset was a drastic departure from the orderly corridors of a starship and it depicted a big idol built into the side of the mountain, with glowing red eyes and big jaws. Any action figure that went near it didn’t fare well as there was also a glove, ostensibly made of alien skin that allowed the idol to snatch up hapless worshippers and foolhardy explorers.

There was no reason to let the action figures get the entire, well, action. There were many toys inspired by the Star Trek gadgets, like communicators that were walkie-talkies. The Star Trek Communications Console was a disguised CB radio and the Tricorder was in reality a cassette player. Toy phasers served no other purpose other than to make their distinctive phaser noise when shot at the included reflective targets and thus gladden the hearts of Trekkies.

The toy lines had stopped production by 1978 when release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture invigorated the franchise. New action figures were released, including characters newly introduced in the movie as well as the original crew. Aliens also got a new line of figures, with an Arcturian, a Betelgeusian, a Rigellian and a few others. Star Trek: The Motion Picture toys included an Enterprise with detachable saucer section, a Klingon cruiser and a Vulcan shuttle. The Wrist Communicators seen in the movie were reproduced as wrist-worn walkie-talkies powered by a battery pack that attached to the user’s belt.

There was no shortage of cool Star Trek toys, sartorial missteps notwithstanding. The past four decades brought unprecedented popularity to the toy lines and they are hot items with collectors today, merging 70s nostalgia with a bona fide pop cultural icon.

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