The Space Shuttle Enterprise, the first in the line of shuttles at the forefront of space flight for the next three and a half decades, made its first public appearance on this day, September 17, back in 1976. The crew of the famous vessel for which Enterprise received her namesake were on hand to welcome her.

History records that it was at the demand of the public, via a monumental letter writing campaign, which was ultimately responsible for the name "Enterprise" being chosen for the first shuttle. Ironically, the Enterprise is the only ship in the line that never actually traveled into space.

According to actor and director Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek fans can be "very persuasive."

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