History Wah Ming Chang Analysis The Star Trek Communicator

Review Wah Ming Chang: The Man Who Shaped the Look of Star Trek Wah Ming Chang was a visionary artist and special effects designer whose work helped bring the iconic world of Star Trek to life. He is best known for creating the original designs for the show's most recognizable props, including the iconic tricorder and communicator. Chang's contributions to Star Trek went far beyond these two iconic props, however. He also designed costumes for memorable characters like the salt vampire ("The Man Trap"), the Gorn ("Arena"), and Balok ("The Corbomite Maneuver"). His work helped to create the look and feel of Star Trek, which has become synonymous with science fiction. Early Life and Career Chang was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1917. He began his artistic career as a young man, exhibiting etchings and block prints nationally. In the 1940s, he moved to California and worked for Disney Studios during the production of Pinocchio and Fantasia. He also designed masks for the film and television productions of Star Trek and Outer Limits. Designing the Tricorder In 1966, Chang was contacted by Desilu Productions, the company that produced Star Trek. They were looking for someone to design a device that the crew of the Enterprise could use to scan their environment. Chang came up with the idea of a handheld device with a number of different dials and buttons. He wanted the tricorder to look futuristic, but also practical and easy to use. The tricorder that Chang designed became one of the most recognizable props in Star Trek history. It was used in countless episodes and films, and it has been reproduced countless times for fans and collectors. Designing the Communicator
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