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Berlinghoff Rasmussen was a 22nd century inventor from New Jersey on Earth. During this period, he confiscated a 26th century time-travel pod from its rightful user and used it to travel forward in time. His plan was to collect future technology for dismantling and study in hopes of recreating it in his own time and taking credit.
In 2368, Rasmussen visited the USS Enterprise-D claiming to be a historian from the future. Despite his putting on a cheery and eccentric demeanor, the crew had a hard time believing this initially and tried to avoid asking questions regarding the future. Eventually, however, Captain Picard asked for Rasmussen's help in what action he should take regarding a planet the Enterprise was trying to save. Rasmussen covered his lie by claiming saving the planet may allow the existence of another Adolf Hitler or Khan Noonien Singh.
During this time, Rasmussen stole various objects to smuggle back to his time, including a phaser. He became enamored with Doctor Beverly Crusher, a feeling she did not return. He also attempted to abduct Data, but the phaser he tried to attack him with had been deactivated. The Enterprise senior staff confronted him about the robberies, and Picard ordered Worf to arrest Rasmussen despite his pleas to be let go. The pod vanished, stranding him in the future. Worf led Rasmussen to the brig, with Picard welcoming him to the 24th century and remarking there were "many legitimate historians that would be interested in talking to you." (TNG: "A Matter of Time")
Odo cited the case of Rasmussen to Worf in 2372, when Worf complained of the security breaches on Deep Space 9. (DS9: "Bar Association")
- The character of Berlinghoff Rasmussen was originally written for Robin Williams, who opted out in order to play Peter Pan in the movie Hook.
- Rasmussen appears in the DS9 novel The Big Game. In the novel, he participates in a poker competition held by Quark.
- It was rumored during the first season of Star Trek: Enterprise that it would be revealed Rasmussen was a roommate of Jonathan Archer's at MIT. (citation needed • edit)
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