why do the USS Excelsior have a littel coffie table on the bridge?

[FatherRob]

In universe, if a starship Captain wants a little table on his bridge, he would order someone to come put one in, rank hath it's privileges.

Kirk was seen drinking coffee while in his chair in both TOS and TMP. The cup's gotta get put down somewhere.

At least in TOS, the chair's armrests were big enough to set the cup on. I bet, in a great un-recorded moment in Starfleet history, Kirk spills the hot coffee on his uniform during the events chronicled in TMP, which results in an insistence that Starfleet incorporate the Coffee Table Mk. 1 in all future ships. The matter is debated by the Federation Council and so it is only during the latter years of his career that he gets the luxury. He secretly fumes at Sulu that he will get the benefit of the hexagonal coffee table from day one as a captain.

In a related note, the Coffee Table wasn't to be installed until 'next Tuesday' on the Enterprise-B, and, ultimately, Captain Harriman preferred drinking Red Bull to coffee. As a result, since the Enterprise is the trendsetter for the fleet, the coffee table was phased out (though it is a little known fact that Lieutenant Castillo ordered a command ottoman placed in front of his chair for the battle with the Klingons when they returned to the 'Prime Universe' at the conclusion of "Yesterday's Enterprise".

Rob+

 

[G2309]

He was on a voyage studying gaseous anomalies he must have needed regular coffees to stay awake. "But Kirk gets to go where no man has gone before"

 

[OsmiumJohnnycake]

At least in TOS, the chair's armrests were big enough to set the cup on. I bet, in a great un-recorded moment in Starfleet history, Kirk spills the hot coffee on his uniform during the events chronicled in TMP, which results in an insistence that Starfleet incorporate the Coffee Table Mk. 1 in all future ships. The matter is debated by the Federation Council and so it is only during the latter years of his career that he gets the luxury. He secretly fumes at Sulu that he will get the benefit of the hexagonal coffee table from day one as a captain.

In a related note, the Coffee Table wasn't to be installed until 'next Tuesday' on the Enterprise-B, and, ultimately, Captain Harriman preferred drinking Red Bull to coffee. As a result, since the Enterprise is the trendsetter for the fleet, the coffee table was phased out (though it is a little known fact that Lieutenant Castillo ordered a command ottoman placed in front of his chair for the battle with the Klingons when they returned to the 'Prime Universe' at the conclusion of "Yesterday's Enterprise".

Thanks for this.

 

[G2309]

Probably why they changed from white uniforms as well. First contact situations can be spoiled by a coffee stain.

 

[Amaris]

I always figured it was small desk, where the Captain could set padds, coffee cups, etc., with maybe a compartment in the side.

It could also have holoemitters built in, so it could project holograms above it for various reasons.

That's what I thought, too. Frankly, I thought it was a great decision. I love the TUC Excelsior bridge.