Enterprise Computer System - The sci-fi series STAR TREK/NBC/1966-69 relied heavily on scientific gadgetry including the sophisticated computer system that ran the starship USS Enterprise. The starship's duotronic computer complex was designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom. It contained voice recognition circuits that permitted it to respond to verbal commands. When communicating, it used a female voice (Majel Barrett). The primary bridge functions - manned by Vulcan Science Officer, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) - were used to sense radiation/heat, monitor deflector shield strength and detect the presence of life on other planet surfaces.

The vessel's library computer contained a mass of data on subjects ranging from the arts, sciences, philosophy, and information on solar systems, colonies, alien cultures, a registry of all space vehicles, and complete files on all personnel in Starfleet. The data in the computer library could be channeled into any station onboard the ship.

The Enterprise computer dealt only in logic/facts. Given ambiguous information, it would announce that it could not answer due to insufficient information. Because the computer would not validate lies or misinformation, it was used as an adjunct to official hearings.

The computer could be overridden by voice command from senior officers and could execute a sequence of instructions to destroy the ship if given proper identification/voice codes.

In case of emergency, the computer would take control of the entire life functions onboard. On STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION/SYN/1987-94 all crew members wore a small touch sensitive triangular badge on their chest that linked to the ship's intercom system and the computer.