Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Fascinating... Five facts you may not have known about Spock's ears (yes, just his ears)

Star Trek producers promised Leonard Nimoy that if the pointy ears didn’t appeal to the viewing public, Spock could undergo an in-series “ear job”.

LEONARD NIMOY, who died on Friday at age 83, likely had the most famous lobes in Hollywood.

As the logical half-human, half-alien Mr. Spock in “Star Trek,” his pointy Vulcan appendages became a signature — and a nuisance — for the actor.

Here’s a few facts about those iconic ears:

spock1 Star Trek / CBS Star Trek / CBS / CBS

Aural history

“Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry was determined to have Nimoy don pointed ears as the Enterprise’s chief science officer.

It was easier said than done. Before the first episode was filmed, numerous designs of the ears’ shape and size were created before he settled on the perfect ears.

guttural truth / YouTube

Ear job

Roddenberry promised a reluctant Nimoy that if the pointy ears didn’t appeal to the viewing public after the initial episodes of “Trek” that he’d arrange for Spock to undergo “ear job” and they’d be removed.

Instead, the character was a hit, and no such operation was needed.

evils Star Trek / CBS Star Trek / CBS / CBS

Now hear this

The early ears were made of foam rubber and had to be glued on every morning and removed every night.

The process usually required Nimoy to be in the make-up chair for about 45 minutes each day. However, applying Spock’s slanted eyebrows typically took twice as long.

TheAmazingSkipper / YouTube

Later ears

The process was eventually streamlined, and Spock’s ears were made of latex and cranked out on an assembly line.

Over the years, the lobes and their molds turned up in various celebrity auctions.

WGBH News / YouTube

A pair is on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Read: Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in Star Trek, dies at 83

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
14 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Mc Ginn
    Favourite Jason Mc Ginn
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 3:31 PM

    Can we not do away with these Ratings Agencies??

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CMD
    Favourite CMD
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 3:44 PM

    Agree with you Jason. They always seem to pounce with a downgrade just as it seems countries are reaching a solution to some of the financial problems. As European leaders seem to finally getting their heads in gear to sort out the euro S&P through this in. Who are they? Who owns or controls them. Is there a Mr or Ms Standard. (lord knows we are all Mr &Ms Poors at the moment!)

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Murphy
    Favourite Jamie Murphy
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 9:29 PM

    This downgrade has been due for a LONG time.

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toirealach Mac Fhion
    Favourite Toirealach Mac Fhion
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 9:35 PM

    The latest chapter in Ireland’s history, we’ve had the vikings, Normans, English, catholic church and now it’s time for the banks.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gis Bayertz
    Favourite Gis Bayertz
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 6:05 PM

    They’re making money by playing the markets like this. They should be disbanded

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Breslin
    Favourite Alan Breslin
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 5:45 PM

    Yeah but who rates the rating agencies eh??

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Faceless Man
    Favourite Faceless Man
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 6:35 PM

    The coastguard?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Faceless Man
    Favourite Faceless Man
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 6:41 PM

    As far as I’m aware, the ratings agencies are funded by the stock exchanges. The bigger problem is these agencies were asleep at the wheel in the run up to the financial crisis in 2008 and actively contributed to these problems. They’re overcompensating now.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jambbie
    Favourite Jambbie
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 7:21 PM

    Standard and poors , Moody’s , the markets , Moore McDowell , the troika … Go and find a hole and throw yourselves into it and let us go back to our half normal life before youse gobshites came along and rated us.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hot Toddy
    Favourite Hot Toddy
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 8:34 PM

    The agencies are owned by public companies and earn their revenues from bond issuers asking to be rated. If we weren’t rated, many pension fund rules would prohibit them from investing in our debt.

    The rating agencies were absolutely shocking in the run up to the sub prime crisis, but as for this recent action, they’re just saying what everyone else knows – that banks aren’t as safe as they used to be and government support is no longer guaranteed. They’re just doing their jobs.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds