Star Trek TOS Box Cover Art symbols

[BluLobsta]

Not that it's a big deal, but do any of you Star Trek gurus know what the symbols in each of the Federation insignias on each TOS Season box cover means. I just noticed that each symbol is different Can't wait till Tuesday by the way

[Shokara]

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

Not that it's a big deal, but do any of you Star Trek gurus know what the symbols in each of the Federation insignias on each TOS Season box cover means. I just noticed that each symbol is different Can't wait till Tuesday by the way

The symbol on the first season set accompanied by the color of gold is for command and ship controls (navigation/piloting/etc.). The symbol on the second season set accompanying blue is for science and medical. The third symbol accompanying red on the third season set is for security and operations (engineering/repairs/etc.).

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Shokara

The third symbol accompanying red on the third season set is for security and operations (engineering/repairs/etc.).

Red is also the color of the sacrificial lamb (e.g. security detail)

[Reboscale]

Gold = Command
Blue = Science/Medical
Red = Expendable

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by Reboscale

Gold = Command
Blue = Science/Medical
Red = Expendable

Dillon, assets we are expendable assets. It comes with the territory I can take it...

[BluLobsta]

Ah, nice Great info, thanks guys!

[Ator the Invincible]

Originally Posted by Reboscale

Gold = Command
Blue = Science/Medical
Red = Expendable

I always thought it was weird that red and gold swapped places in the Next Generation. Wonder why they did that. Kind of ruined the fun behind the whole "red shirt" expression.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Ator the Invincible

I always thought it was weird that red and gold swapped places in the Next Generation. Wonder why they did that. Kind of ruined the fun behind the whole "red shirt" expression.

I wonder if compassion played a part? "Poor red shirts, let's give 'em a break."

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I wonder if compassion played a part? "Poor red shirts, let's give 'em a break."

More like someone making a mistake in pre-production and then they just went with it.

[deadhatetheliving]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

More like someone making a mistake in pre-production and then they just went with it.

I bet Enson Rickey is cheering.

[Jeff Kleist]

More like someone making a mistake in pre-production and then they just went with it.

Red is a more "commanding" color. Many of the people who worked on pre-production for TNG in leadership roles were there for TOS as well. The best reason I was ever given is because the blue totally clashed with Data's skin (he was originally simply science officer), and the red was too much of a contrast (check out the two-parter he wears it in) So they switched them up and gave the same excuse why the US Army wore straight green and now wears that mottled camo. Someone got a redesign bug and pushed it through

[gotzaBDP]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Red is a more "commanding" color. Many of the people who worked on pre-production for TNG in leadership roles were there for TOS as well. The best reason I was ever given is because the blue totally clashed with Data's skin (he was originally simply science officer), and the red was too much of a contrast (check out the two-parter he wears it in) So they switched them up and gave the same excuse why the US Army wore straight green and now wears that mottled camo. Someone got a redesign bug and pushed it through

To add to that, I've read that the producers did not think that Patrick Stewart looked good in gold either.

[Wdm81]

yes the TNG era colour change was because Red was seen as a more bold colour for leadership, the only time I can remember it being referenced on an episode was "trials and tribilations" from deep space nine, but no reason is given for the change, sisko just says to Dax that in kirk's era command wore gold. It would be interesting if one day we got a cannonical answer for the change (or maybe we already have and i've missed it?)

I can't say i hated the change, the change i didn't love was science/medical going from a bold blue of spocks day to a greenish blue (by voyager it was almost an aqua colour)

and as a side note... the command gold of TOS was originally green but it filmed as a yellowish colour and when new costumes were made it was officially changed to Yellow (Gold) thats why kirks alternate wrap around uniform (as seen in mirror mirror and other episodes) was an obvious green, because it was the orginal "alternate" uniform from the orginal green comand costume

[Ator the Invincible]

Originally Posted by Wdm81

yes the TNG era colour change was because Red was seen as a more bold colour for leadership, the only time I can remember it being referenced on an episode was "trials and tribilations" from deep space nine, but no reason is given for the change, sisko just says to Dax that in kirk's era command wore gold. It would be interesting if one day we got a cannonical answer for the change (or maybe we already have and i've missed it?)

Well, there was a period where the 3 colors were retired altogether in favor of the red jackets of the Kirk movie era (not to mention the silly easter egg costumes in the first movie). Perhaps that break played a role in the color swapping from a canonical POV. Then again, probably not. Just a half-formed thought.

Still, I always found those red jackets funny. It's like placing targets on everybody. Make 'em all red shirts!

[V.I.N.CENT]

[Jeff Kleist]

Well, there was a period where the 3 colors were retired altogether in favor of the red jackets of the Kirk movie era (not to mention the silly easter egg costumes in the first movie). Perhaps that break played a role in the color swapping from a canonical POV. Then again, probably not. Just a half-formed thought.

They got switched up a bit in the movies as well. White was put in for command, Uhura switched to blue for some reason (Chekhov was science officer on the Reliant so he was Blue), while Sulu was the only one still wearing gold (Scotty got this too). Red Stripe went to cadets. With red as the primary color, there had to be a bit of a shuffle

[whbinder]

Yeah, movie era it got a bit complicated.

White = command
Gold = operations / helm & engineering
Olive = medical
Grey = science & communications
Green = security
Red = cadets (also most likely to die)
Light Blue = special services
Black = enlisted

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star...2270s-2350s%29