They did it in a way that had not been done before.  Star Trek fans literally shocked the world in the 70s with their numbers, their devotion...and sometimes their behavior.

They demonstrated that there was an audience for the show.  Studio executives who thought Star Trek was a dead property began tot are notice as fans published their own magazines and newsletters, attend conventions by the thousands, forced up the shows ratings in syndication and demanded that their president name the first-ever NASA space shuttle after their beloved starship, Enterprise.

Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto take a look at Trek fandom in the 70s on this episode of 70s Trek.