Join us at the “Heart of Gold”
Inspired by the iconic spaceship from Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” this theme invites you to explore the whimsical, the improbable, the futuristic, and the cosmic in the world of costuming.
In the Hitchhiker’s Guide, the “Heart of Gold” starship is powered by an Infinite Improbability Drive, and, uncoincidentally, known for its improbable and unpredictable adventures. As costumers and creators, you are encouraged to embrace the same spirit of adventure and innovation. This theme encourages you to channel the zany, the absurd, and the otherworldly aspects of the Hitchhiker’s Guide universe into your costume creations.
Retro science fiction, comedic space opera, and zany time-travel fantasy collide in the spirit of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. “Heart of Gold” refers to the name of the starship powered by the Infinite Improbability Drive, “a wonderful new method of crossing interstellar distances in a mere nothingth of a second, without all that ‘tedious mucking about in hyperspace,’ by passing through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe simultaneously.”
The Number 42: “42 (forty-two) is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. First calculated by the supercomputer Deep Thought after seven and a half million years of thought, this shocking answer resulted in the construction of an even larger supercomputer, named Earth, which was tasked with determining what the question was in the first place.”
Towels: “A towel is the most important item a [Galactic] Hitchhiker can carry. Ford Prefect and his fellow hitchhiker and friend Roosta both emphasise the importance of towels throughout Hitchhiker’s and are both known to carry one with them at all times.”
Other fun ‘easter eggs’ found in this world of science fiction include:
- Sense-O-Tape: In Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series, Sense-O-Tape is a device that prints smells. It allows users to experience scents while reading books or watching movies, making the sensory experience more immersive.
- Babel Fish: Another invention from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” the Babel Fish is a small, yellow creature that, when inserted into one’s ear, instantly translates any language spoken by the individual nearby. This handy creature eliminates language barriers and facilitates communication across different cultures.
- Milliways, better known as the Restaurant at the End of the Universe: In Adams’ series, Milliways is a five-star restaurant located at the literal end of time and space. Patrons can enjoy a meal while witnessing the spectacular show of the universe’s destruction, which occurs every night. It’s the ultimate dining experience for the adventurous and time-traveling food enthusiasts.
- Petunias and Whales: In “So Long and Thanks for All the Fish,” the fourth book in Adams’ series, a massive spaceship picks up a pair of dolphins and two lucky human hitchhikers just before the Earth is destroyed. As they are transported across space, one of the dolphins muses on the strange connection between petunias (a type of flower) and the sudden appearance of whales in the universe. It’s a lighthearted and whimsical moment that adds an extra layer of creativity to the story.
So there you have it! These are just a few examples of the playful and imaginative easter eggs you can encounter in science fiction literature. They add an extra element of fun and surprise, making the reading experience even more enjoyable. Happy exploring!
Stay tuned for more!