1.0 Introduction
Shane Johnson introduces the Journal as a visual, user-friendly tour of the technical universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and thanks the many people who made the publication possible.
This JOURNAL presents a visual overview of the technical universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here, using blueprints, full-color photographs and descriptive text, you, the reader will enjoy a guided tour of the scientific 'reality' presented each week on your television screen. This technical backdrop has been maintained with incredible continuity from one episode to the next.
As was done by many publications in the early to mid-seventies (then dealing with the original Star Trek television series), this JOURNAL will (I hope) present you with a fun, very user-friendly and visually exciting look at this rebirth of the Star Trek universe. It is my intention not to be comprehensive, but to touch upon and give a general look at the new Starship Enterprise, her support technologies and the scientific achievements of Starfleet's foes and allies.
It is my hope that the JOURNAL you now hold serves as a welcome, pictorial addition to the Star Trek universe and that I have contributed to the technical continuity that has helped the saga of Star Trek, in all of its incarnations, to stand head-and-shoulders above the rest.
—Shane Johnson, November 1991
Author's Acknowledgements
Much has gone into the development and execution of this publication, but it would not have been possible were it not for the efforts of the following people:
David Hutchison, my editor, who saw to it that my every research need was filled to the letter and who provided much encouragement as this JOURNAL became a reality.
My wife, Kathy, who was always there with her invaluable eye for what would and would not work.
Jamie Murray and the guys at KTXA-21, who went the extra mile and spent a lot of weekend hours satisfying my unreasonable need for obscure data.
Steve and Melanie McClellan, who didn't get mad when I accidentally threw away the phaser.
Alan and Lyrae Beckner, for keeping me in line.
Mike Kott, who was thoughtful enough to suggest to Starlog that I might be the one to do this project.
Publisher Norman Jacobs, who agreed and approached me with it.
Mark Vinson, who took me in from the cold for the day and let me work out this text on his word processor.
The officers and crew of the U.S.S. Joshua, NCC-3700, who gave their support and have become cherished friends.
The guys at Laser Copy.
April Gorman and the crew of the Equulus.
Jim Pearson and the crew of Deinonychus.
Professor Julius Sumner Miller.
Shaun Johnson, my brother, who is currently stationed in Guam, where mildew is the official plant and waders are a fashion statement.
—Shane Johnson