London’s Science Museum is to make the first attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most Star Trek Vulcan salutes performed simultaneously.
The record attempt will take place during the museum’s Star Trek Lates night on September 8, which is part of a series of events marking 60 years of the US sci-fi series and includes the Star Trek Warp Trail, which leads visitors through a number of related displays.
First being shown on screen in a 1967 episode of the franchise’s original series, which ran from 1966 to 1969, the Vulcan salute is performed by the alien lifeform, including Leonard Nimoy’s character Spock, by holding up the hand and parting the middle and ring finger.
Glyn Morgan, head of collections and principal curator at the Science Museum, said: “It feels very special to bring Star Trek fans together at the Science Museum for an official Guinness World Record attempt on Star Trek Day.
“For 60 years, Star Trek has connected bold storytelling with big questions about science, technology and what might be possible in the future, themes that sit at the heart of the Science Museum.
“After a popular Star Trek Lates earlier this year, we’re delighted to invite fans back for another evening exploring the ideas, imagination and real-world science behind the franchise, and a final opportunity to experience the Star Trek Warp Trail.”
If the attempt is considered legitimate by an adjudicator, it will set the world record as one currently does not exist, with those attending urged to wear the Starfleet uniforms from the series if they have them.
The Star Trek Warp Trail displays include the uniform belonging to chief engineer Scotty, played by Simon Pegg in 2009’s Star Trek film, as well as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s uniform, worn by Sir Patrick Stewart in the Paramount+ Star Trek: Picard TV series, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
Since launching in the 1960s, Star Trek has gone on to produce numerous TV series and films, including shows such as The Next Generation, which starred Sir Patrick, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, which starred Kate Mulgrew, and films across three different timelines.
The free Star Trek Lates event will begin at 6pm on September 8, while the Star Trek Warp Trail will run until September 13 at the South Kensington venue.
