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The Early Days of TV Science Fiction

Posted by timothy on from the what-the-internet-is-truly-for dept.

mcse_knowthyenemy writes: "The very first TV sci-fi shows are covered in detail here. The author, a professor of physics, approaches the topic with academic rigorousness. If you think the original Star Trek was low-budget, consider the $5 per episode these studios could spend."

3 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm by mESSDan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This story is worth reading in only one aspect; It gives you a pretty good glimpse at how things have changed for kids since 1950.

    Back then, kids had almost nothing but their imagination, the special effects were not very special, and space was still a very real part of their future.

    Kids today get to watch movies that are entirely computer generated, like Final Fantasy, and if the newest games graphics aren't the best, it must suck. And space, well, I guess it's going to take a little longer than we expected, eh?

    --

    -- Dan
    1. Re:Hmmm by Kamel+Jockey · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This kinda reminds me of how some kids rated the "Bad Dudes vs. Bin Laden" game on newgrounds.com. The game itself was an excellent takeoff of the classic arcade game, everything in it matched or was very close to that game.

      However, many of the kids who rated it said the graphics and sound sucked. It was kinda funny seeing that from a generation which never knew the likes of Pac-Man and Frogger.

      With that in mind...

      The special effects in Star Wars Episodes IV-VI were MUCH more realistic than Star Wars Episode I :)

      --
      In case of fire, do not use elevator. Use water!
  2. Re:Blue Book Show, anyone? by King_TJ · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Maybe I'm thinking of something different, but I recall a show we watched in the 70's called "Project Blue Book". It was one of those weekly TV shows along the lines of "Unsolved Mysteries" or something, except it told 2 or 3 UFO stories on each episode. They'd do the standard interviews with people, show some photos when they were available, and give explanations (if scientists offered any). Haven't seen that on the air in a long time..... forgot all about it until now. Oh well.