Want to be part of a Guinness World Record? Beam down to the Science Museum on 8 September.
This month's adults-only Lates event at the museum is entirely themed around Star Trek. Visitors will get to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt to assemble the most simultaneous Vulcan salutes. You could be among them.
The Vulcan salute, popularised by Mr Spock in the original series, involves making a V-shape between paired fingers. They do it in space for real, apparently:
As well as taking part in the record attempt, visitors can also inspect the Star Trek Warp Trail, which features numerous costumes and models from the shows and movies, including Data's head and a captain's chair. Talks and performances are also planned.
The Lates stunt is billed as a Guinness World Record 'attempt'. If we might play Mr Spock for a moment, this is highly illogical. No current Guinness World Record exists for such a feat, and so any significant number of Vulcan salutes will establish the record. It's like saying that I'm going to attempt the World Record for typing the word flobspiffle while humming La Marseillaise... flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle, flobspiffle. There we go, I managed eight. New World Record.
In truth, the record 'attempt' is simply a ruse to generate interest in the museum's Star Trek Lates event. But, hey, it's all good fun, and we can't begrudge the saluting of a franchise that has reached its 60th birthday (even if its future is a little uncertain). Plus, Science Museum Lates are always fun, with beer and wine and zero kids.
Star Trek Lates is at London Science Museum, 8 September 2026 from 6pm. Entrance is free, but you need to book a space. The Star Trek Warp Trail can be viewed during normal museum opening hours until 13 September (also free).
