Why call the organisation "Spectrum"?

[Shade]

In the context of the series, that is, why was Captain Scarlet's organisation called Spectrum? Spectrum sounds more like a private security company than a world class organisation like, say, World Aquanaut Security Patrol or World Air Force or World Navy.

Or perhaps there was a glut of World Whatever organisations...

[Mary]

Perhaps someone else can respond with a canon answer, but I don't remember any place it was specifically mentioned.

I attempted to answer this in "Colouring the Troops", where Conrad Turner is headhunting Colonel Paul Metcalfe. Besides the obvious naming the organization after the colors of the rainbow, I suggested that the name could also mean that the organization would encompass the "full spectrum" of world security, i.e. getting all the World organizations to work together.

[chrisbishop]

"The full spectrum of security" is actually canon. Although I can't quite remember where I read this. I think it was Chris Drake's book, but I don't have it in hands right now to check that out. The idea behind Spectrum was to 'remove some of the pressure on other world security agencies'. The organisation would touch everything.

Although, someone along the line, it became their exclusive mandate to deal with the Mysterons.

There was something else from early comic strips, though. I remember reading that the organisation was called 'Spectrum', because it was believed that the 'Mysterons couldn't see and/or distinguish colours'. Of couse this would mean that Spectrum was created AFTER the encounter with the Mysterons. And according to the TV series (which should take precedence over all other media sources), this certainly wasn't the case. So I'm guessing that this little bit of information was written before the TV series came to live on the screen.

[Marion]

Chris Drake's book says:

(Before end of April 1967)...Century21 was blazing a trail for Captain Scarlet, in almost all of the comics. Solo printed articles credited to Alan Fennell in which he warned of a malevolent force using strange powers to cause disasters across the globe. The force was eventually tracked down to the Mysterons, and Solo began running a feature called 'Spectrum News' ('so called because we believe the Mysterons cannot see colour').
He also says later in the book:
The name of Spectrum was chosen to signify the fact that its agents are not limited to one area of operation (such as the sea or space) but instead cover the entire range of World Security just as the light spectrum spans the complete range of colours.
So, there you have it - the same confusion you get with every Anderfact!

[Shade]

The reason I had the thought was that I remembered reading a novel entitled Goldhawk, which was about a private security firm, and someone in said novel made a comment about "poncey security companies giving themselves impressive-sounding names" and it had me thinking as to why Spectrum was so designated in the context of the series. In our world, it was because Gerry Anderson felt it worked well with the title character, but in the Anderson Universe, I couldn't help feeling that "World Security" would have been fitting as a name. Having said that, Spectrum seems a snappier nomenclature, wouldn't you say?

[Mysteronslayer]

Hmmm, I thought it was as simple as all of the agents being color coded but I'm glad to know there is a little more power and meaning behind the name.

[Intensity Angel]

I was a bit confused as to the name 'Specrtum'. I'm glad too that there is a greater meaning behind the name.

[Marion]

I'm going to indulge in a little self-promotion
I wrote this in 'Natural Selection'.

“Good, then I can tell you a little more about the project. It concerns the formation and equipping of a supranational anti-terrorist force, which would be under the direct control of the World President. This organisation will be called Spectrum.”
Conrad frowned slightly. “There’s been talk for so long about forming a united anti-terrorism force that most people doubted it could happen.”
“Then, it’s our duty to prove them wrong, Colonel, and not only ensure that it does happen, but to ensure it is a success,” Gray replied.
Conrad nodded, ‘being in on the ground floor’ of such a project held plenty of appeal and if this was a genuine attempt to create the much discussed peace-keeping force, he rather hoped his secondment would lead to a more permanent involvement. If he did a decent job at whatever they had lined up for him, it would be another chance to ‘move on’.
Gray continued:
“Spectrum will have a wide range of responsibilities and, for this reason the personnel will come from all walks of life - both military and civilian. The only qualifying criteria will be pre-eminence in their field: be they fighter pilots or laundresses, Spectrum wants the best.” He paused and gave a slight shrug of his broad shoulders. “The official reason for the organisation’s name is that it will be like no other security force; although tightly regulated to ensure it never becomes an ‘over-mighty subject’ of the World Government, it will be beyond the control of the conventional military leaders, having authority over them, if it ever proves necessary. Bandranaik wishes to ensure that the office he created never becomes more of a threat to the World than a blessing.”
“I’ve often thought that President Bandranaik is a far-sighted and wise man,” Conrad agreed circumspectly.
“He is indeed, although, in this instance, I rather suspect the choice of name had more to do with the President’s imagination, than with finding a name to match his concept of the organisation,” Gray replied with a hint of cynicism.
He glanced at Conrad with perceptive, piercing, blue eyes and waited for a response.
Well aware of that scrutiny and still unsure of what was expected of him, Conrad played it straight. “Nevertheless, sir, it is very indicative of the organisation’s responsibilities over a multitude of areas,” he said.
“Hmm, you’ve got the idea. Every active member of Spectrum will have a codename – every senior member, I should say – colours are not inexhaustible and I’d prefer to steer clear of the... errm… the more imaginative ones.”
“So, there won’t be a ‘Sergeant sky-blue-pink’ then, sir?” Conrad asked dryly, noting with satisfaction the smile that twitched at the corners of the other man’s mouth.
“No, Colonel, nothing so romantic. Spectrum will be distinctive enough to be instantly recognisable, yet secret enough for its personnel to remain anonymous. We can’t risk the possibility that someone’s family might be used as a means of corrupting an officer from his duty, and our elite Field Agents will be protected by a security level that is second to none. The only means of identifying any Spectrum agent will be by their ‘colour-code name’ and their distinctive uniform. There will be no rank insignia, either.” “How very egalitarian, sir.”

[Intensity Angel]

“So, there won’t be a ‘Sergeant sky-blue-pink’ then, sir?” Conrad asked dryly, noting with satisfaction the smile that twitched at the corners of the other man’s mouth.

This makes me laugh! And it's fair point, the codenames can't be really creative because they just sound stupid!

[lee evens]

So thats why its called SPECTRUM. I thought it was todo with colours!

[Marion]

It could well be - I just made it up...

[lee evens]

haha! Nice one!!

[Intensity Angel]

Was Captain Scarlet called Scarlet so he wouldn't be mistakened for a red shirt off Star Trek?

The Mysterons must've seen Star Trek and thought- hang on, kill the red shirt!!

[Marion]

No, he wasn't. I think I'm right in saying that the Captain Scarlet TV show came first - at least in the UK.

[Intensity Angel]

I was telling a joke Marion.

The red shirts in Star trek always get injured/bashed up/shot/killed off etc etc, like Captain Scarlet.

I find it amusing. I know, sad.