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Starting with the CB750, Honda redefined what a motorcycle should be. The other Japanese manufacturers followed Honda’s lead, resulting in the UJM, or “Universal Japanese Motorcycle.” This left its mark on the motorcycle industry, which has never been the same since.

Ultimate Motorcycling has a great article on the history of Honda’s inline-four bikes, starting with the iconic CB750. While my own 1981 model was no longer the barnstormer the original was, it was still a fun bike, and just what I needed at the time. Truth be told, I originally wanted the Magna parked next to it, but after seeing it was smashed down the left side, my eye moved to the CB750 Custom parked next to it. I have no regrets (though I still want a Magna someday).

The creator of Star Trek was born on August 19, 1921. Today would be his 100th birthday. Though he never went to space himself, he created a universe that would inspire many who actually did. In fact, in the 1970s NASA recruited Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura, to recruit new astronauts, particularly women and people of color.

Science fiction became science fact when the first Space Shuttle was named Enterprise after a massive letter writing campaign convinced NASA to do it. The cast of the original series, as well as Roddenberry himself, were on hand at the public unveiling, featured as today’s NASA Image of the Day. Although Enterprise also never flew into space, it was an extremely important proof of the Space Shuttle concept, particularly its ability to land like an airplane. (Later, the Space Shuttle Enterprise would appear on a display on the Starship Enterprise of previous ships of that name in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. How meta is that?)

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Tag Archives: history

Honda’s History-Making Inline-Four Motorcycles

Happy 100th, Gene Roddenberry