Klingon Bat'leth from the Television Series "Star Trek: The Next Generation"

This Klingon Bat'leth, or “curved weapon,” is from the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994). The first Bat’leth was created specifically for the show by visual effects producer Dan Curry (b. 1946) for Worf, the character played by Michael Dorn (b. 1952) in the series. 

Starting as cardboard villains, Klingons evolved into one of the most complex alien races in Star Trek. In their earliest appearances, Klingons were an alien equivalent of the Soviet Union, reflecting Cold War tensions of the time, blended with hints of WWII-style fascism. Valuing only war and conquest, they always sought to expand their territory.  

In later incarnations of Star Trek, the Klingons’ warlike tendencies became tempered by a strict code of honor.

Characters such as Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation and B’Elanna Torres in Star Trek: Voyager were complex, fleshed out characters. Klingons became nuanced, with elaborate social codes, admirable loyalty, and an appealing lust for life.