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As previously stated, this spacesuit was designed by the late Mike Minor for the third season episode, The Tholian Web. He also designed the Tholian itself; for while Tholians are mentioned in several episodes of the various Next Generations, this is the only time we actually see one.

This replica was lovingly made for me by Roberta Brubaker and Andy Monsen, whose combined attention to detail is legendary. Long before commercial Star Trek tapes were available, they taped The Tholian Web off the air and played it backward and forward until they had every detail memorized. Then they verified their construction ideas by creating a G.I. Joe(tm)-sized replica first. Once satisfied they were on the right track, they then built the full-sized version.

Our replica made its debut at the 1984 WorldCon in Anaheim, and in true fannish tradition, was being completed mere hours before the Masquerade it was to compete in. While it did not win, (having been beaten out by a demon with a 30 foot wingspan!) Roberta's recreation of Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty did win a Workmanship award.

Since that WorldCon, I have competed in five other costume contests with it, winning awards four times. Ironically, the other time I lost was at the 20th Anniversary Star Trek convention put on by CreationCon, in the 20th Anniversary Star Trek Costume Contest. Originally phrased as to lead one to believe that only Star Trek costumes would be in the costume contest, not ONE Star Trek costume won! The weirdest win was not at a convention, but a Halloween costume contest held at a party at a local crematorium. I still have the witch-riding-on-a-broomstick trophy.

Replica of the Tholian Web Spacesuit
Built by Roberta Brubaker and Andy Monsen

Perhaps the most ironic note is that while this spacesuit design was extremely popular with many Original Series Trek fans, and is a proven award- winner, Mike Minor himself was never happy with it.

Send any comments or suggestions to thalek@keyway.net