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Writer's pictureStar Trek Gigi

The Captain's Chair on Star Trek: A Seat of Command

In the vast expanse of science fiction, few television shows have achieved the enduring popularity and cultural impact of the original Star Trek series, which premiered in 1966. Among the many elements that are memorable about the show is the iconic Captain's Chair.

Star Trek Captain's Chair

Designed by the show's art director, Matt Jefferies, the chair was actually modified from a standard office seat that was widely used in the 1960s. Jefferies adapted and enhanced the seat to create the commanding look suitable for a starship captain.


Centrally positioned on the bridge of the USS Enterprise, the chair was elevated on a platform to emphasize the captain's authority, while also ensuring that he had a clear view of the entire bridge and crew members. It was futuristic in appearance, and it had controls on the armrests which allowed the captain to interact with some of the ship's systems.


What made this chair truly special was the way it was used by Captain Kirk, portrayed by the charismatic William Shatner. Kirk's confident posture and decisive actions while seated in the chair became synonymous with his leadership style. Whether issuing orders in the heat of battle or contemplating ethical dilemmas, Kirk's presence in the chair was magnetic.


Interestingly, the original Captain's Chair is now a part of the Smithsonian's collection at the National Air and Space Museum in the United States, where it is displayed as a significant piece of television history.


The Captain's Chair is more than just a piece of furniture. Its journey from a simple office chair to a cultural icon is a testament to the power of human creativity and imagination.


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8 Comments


Ben Banks
Ben Banks
Oct 07, 2023

Great information Gigi, love your blog!

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Star Trek Gigi
Star Trek Gigi
Oct 07, 2023
Replying to

Thank you so much, Ben! 💋 🖖😍STGG

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Guest
Oct 07, 2023

Great blog Gigi San! Love the info. My favorite captains chair by far 😊

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Star Trek Gigi
Star Trek Gigi
Oct 08, 2023
Replying to

Thank you! 🖖😍STGG

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theenterpriseproject
Oct 06, 2023

Didn't know that matt designed it...fantastic blog

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Star Trek Gigi
Star Trek Gigi
Oct 07, 2023
Replying to

Thank you! 🖖😍 STGG

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James Logan
James Logan
Oct 05, 2023

Yes the Captains chair is certainly iconic, the slightly upgraded version for Strange New Worlds is a very nice callback to it as well. It's also good to see the controls close-up in the Court Martial episode and Ben Finneys naughty tampering of the evidence. Live long and prosper Gigi :)

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Star Trek Gigi
Star Trek Gigi
Oct 06, 2023
Replying to

Thanks for your comments, James! LLAP 🖖 😍 STGG

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