I'm 50 years old and genuinely never heard of Ultraman until just now. That might have something to do with living on an obscure island off the coast of Europe which had only one TV station when I was growing up. However I did hear of 'The Tommorrow People' which came from the neighbouring not so obscure island. Nevertheless it seemed a tad camp even to my untutored teenage eye back then.
But even the single conservative TV station in Ireland, had Star Trek and I remember distinctly enjoying it. In fact, one summer evening. I remember being in the neighbours garage while he explained just how a car engine worked. He was a fireman and because his hours were less than onerous, he had a car repair business on the side. My Mother, as ever the ambitious Irish Mother had ensured that I was to receive an education in car maintenance so I found myself in his garage learning the basics. Meanwhile through the open back door of my house that balmy summer evening in the early seventies. I heard the theme tune of Star Trek. Much as I enjoyed learning about cars. I despaired that I was missing an episode of Star Trek. Never again would I be able to enjoy that programme. Little did I know!
I'm sure there are many of you out there who remember those days. The space race was on and the Americans, (our heroes) were going to win it. In 2010, we would routinely travel to the moon and back and Mars too probably. I wanted to be a pilot and my only worry was that they would invent something to replace flying by the time I grew up.
No need to worry as it turned out. Ah those were the days.
