A total of 934 fans gathered at the Science Museum on Tuesday to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Vulcan salute. Organised to mark Star Trek Day, those taking part at the London venue were required to maintain the iconic hand gesture for one minute to successfully secure the title. Guinness World Records adjudicator Paulina Sapinska verified the attempt before handing the official certificate to the Science Museum’s commercial operations director Ben Lheureux.
Reflecting on the achievement, Science Museum head of collections and principal curator Dr Glyn Morgan said organisers had been "really excited at the idea of breaking a world record". He added: "It’s the 60th anniversary of Star Trek and we wanted something people would really remember and would really mark this event as something special – and what’s more special than breaking a world record?" Actor Martin Quinn, who plays chief engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, also participated in the event. He said: "I’m going to hang my Guinness World Record certificate in my brother’s room to really rub it in." The attempt took place during a Star Trek Lates evening, arranged as part of a wider programme marking 60 years of the American sci-fi series.
The event includes the Star Trek Warp Trail, which guides visitors past a selection of thematic displays across the South Kensington site. First seen on television in a 1967 episode of the original series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, the Vulcan salute was introduced by Leonard Nimoy’s character Spock. It is performed by holding up the hand, palm facing forward, while separating the middle and ring fingers, and is typically accompanied by the spoken greeting: "Live long and prosper." New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Items featured on the Star Trek Warp Trail include the uniform worn by Simon Pegg as chief engineer Scotty in the 2009 Star Trek film, as well as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s outfit, worn by Sir Patrick Stewart in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Picard between 2020 and 2023.
Since its launch in 1966—which introduced the original crew of the USS Enterprise including Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock, Dr McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Scotty (originally played by James Doohan), and Lt Uhura (Nichelle Nichols)—the franchise has expanded to encompass several TV shows such as The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, starring Kate Mulgrew, alongside feature films across three separate timelines. The Star Trek Warp Trail will remain open at the South Kensington museum until September 13. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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