In the fall of 1966, two newly created programs took flight at the same time. One was a TV show and the other was a Research & Education Network. Both have changed the world and continue to do so today.
When the first episode of “Star Trek” was broadcast on September 6, 1966, very few people expected it to become what it is today. While the original series only lasted three seasons, the glimpses of diverse utopian communities promised a brighter future delivered through advanced technology. The opening monologue invited viewers to join an epic journey to the stars:
“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.”
The power behind these words turned “Star Trek” into a sprawling media franchise that is now widely considered one of the most popular and influential television series of all time. In fact, many modern technologies owe creative inspiration credit to the series.
While “Star Trek” was providing visions of a possible future, three universities in Michigan were working on making that future a reality. Also founded in the fall of 1966, Merit Network came together when the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Michigan State University saw the need to share computing resources. Merit would go on to manage NSFNET, the National Science Foundation’s network that was the forerunner of the commercial internet.
Like “Star Trek”, Merit looks to the future and pushes into what is possible. Though the comparison comes in the spirit of good fun, Merit’s mission is not so different from that of the Enterprise. While the Federation explored the cosmos and expanded access to “new life and new civilizations”, Merit explored connectivity and expanded access to knowledge and understanding. Merit now operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network, governed by Michigan’s 12 public universities. Given its integral role in the history of the internet, Merit feels strongly that equitable and inclusive access to affordable broadband is essential for all. That’s why this year’s theme for Merit Member Conference is “BOLDLY GO”.
We’re in an era of unprecedented federal infrastructure investment impacting both connectivity and cybersecurity. How can we make the most out of this rare opportunity?
MMC is a once-a-year chance to rub shoulders with experts and fellow community professionals. At MMC ’23 you will:
- Learn how to make the most out of this historic moment — how to get funding and help
- Get up to speed on the latest innovations
- Explore more about investing today for tomorrow’s infrastructure
- Discover how our work can be more inclusive and equitable
- Understand likely impacts: how to minimize negatives and increase positives
Registration and all information about the Merit Member Conference can be found on the Merit website.