Why Enterprise and not Yorktown?

[subatoi]

Does anybody know the reason for the name change back in the 60s?

[BK613]

wikipedia + cv-6 + cvn-65

[Christopher]

Probably the same reason why Robert April ended up being Christopher Pike, Bill Ryker ended up being Will Riker, Beverly Crusher's daughter Leslie ended up being her son Wesley, etc. Early, rough ideas are just first drafts, and creators often think of something better later on and change their minds. We may never know the specific reasons why a creator decided Y worked better than X, but it's not uncommon. Sometimes there isn't a clear reason except that a writer or producer decided they liked the sound of one better than the other.

Although in this case, I would speculate that maybe Roddenberry or Herb Solow decided that "S.S. Yorktown" was too specific to American history, and Enterprise would be more universal. Although I'm not sure that's a good speculation, since they never seemed to have a problem with an American bias otherwise.

Perhaps it was that Enterprise is a name with a more extensive historical pedigree, with more ships bearing the name. Perhaps it was chosen because the USS Enterprise CVN-65, commissioned in 1961, was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, so they thought it was fittingly futuristic/pioneering.

[Greg Cox]

Oh, yeah. I'll tinker with the names of planets and characters right up to the final draft sometimes . . . .

Heck, "Dracula" was originally going to be called Count Wampyr, until Stoker stumbled onto a better name in some old history book.

That's just the way it works sometimes.

[R. Star]

Because they wanted a name the audience can identify with. Being Yorktown was sunk in world war 2 and Enterprise was the carrier with the greatest combat record in the history of war, it's fairly self-explanatory.

[plynch]

OP asked if anybody KNEW. Not speculations. One of my pet peeves about this bbs. Be well.

[Christopher]

^Well, since nobody does know, the only way to respond with anything other than "no" is with more general speculation and discussion of the process. This is a discussion board, after all, and that's the only way to discuss this particular topic.

[BillJ]

God, memory is a funny thing...

I could've sworn he ended up changing it because he was rescued by the Enterprise after being shot down during a war.

I have no idea where I heard or read that.

[C.E. Evans]

I always figured than in addition to its historical context, Enterprise also meant "a bold undertaking" or "a forward venture."

[Greg Cox]

plynch wrote:

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OP asked if anybody KNEW. Not speculations. One of my pet peeves about this bbs. Be well.

Well, it would be annoying if people were asserting speculation as fact, but . . . .

[TIN_MAN]

Greg Cox wrote:

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Well, it would be annoying if people were asserting speculation as fact, but . . . .

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way, Greg.

But lest I be accused of veering off topic; yes, I believe it was named after the aircraft carrier, plus it's just a more dramatic name all the way around.

[EmperorTiberius]

C.E. Evans wrote:

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I always figured than in addition to its historical context, Enterprise also meant "a bold undertaking" or "a forward venture."

Bingo. Most likely explanation.

[Captaindemotion]

plynch wrote:

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OP asked if anybody KNEW. Not speculations. One of my pet peeves about this bbs. Be well.

In that case 'No, nobody knows.' Which is technically the correct answer to his question.

[bbailey861]

Captaindemotion wrote:

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In that case 'No, nobody knows.' Which is technically the correct answer to his question.

Exactly, and with that being the case.....everybody move along....nothing more to see here.

[Christopher]

bbailey861 wrote:

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Exactly, and with that being the case.....everybody move along....nothing more to see here.

Why? Even if we don't know the specific reasons, that doesn't mean there isn't a subject here worth discussing. It can be illuminating to talk about how the early stages of a creative process tend to work, how often the names and details we hear are just placeholders or rough ideas. If you aren't interested in that discussion, you're under no obligation to read the thread, but that doesn't mean others can't participate.