Hitchhikers
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{{Infobox Character
[[File:Zaphod2.jpg|thumb|Zaphod in the BBC TV series (1981).]][[File:Zaphod.jpg|thumb|Zaphod as seen in the 2005 film.]]
 
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|name = Zaphod Beeblebrox
 
|image = [[File:Zaphod2.jpg|thumb|Zaphod in the BBC TV series (1981).]]
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|species = Betelgeusian
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|planet = [[Betelgeuse V]]
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|appearance = ''[[Fit the Second]]''|known = |alias = |aka = *"Admiral" (by Haggunenon Second in Command)<ref name="Primary">{{Fit the Sixth}}</ref>
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*"Four-Eyes" (by [[Arthur Dent]])<ref name="Primary">{{Fit the Fifth}}</ref>
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*"The Big Z"|affiliation = *[[Galactic Empire]]
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*[[Heart of Gold]]|family = *[[Ford Prefect]] (semi-cousin)
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*[[Zaphod Beeblebrox IV]] (grandfather)|status = Alive|occupation = President of the Galaxy (formerly)|features = Two heads, three arms}}
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{{Quote|The best bang since the Big One.|[[Eccentrica Gallumbits]] in ''Street Walkie-Talkie Weekly''|And Another Thing...}}
 
{{Quote|The best bang since the Big One.|[[Eccentrica Gallumbits]] in ''Street Walkie-Talkie Weekly''|And Another Thing...}}
'''Zaphod Beeblebrox''', or the '''Big Z''', was a former President of the Galaxy. He was born on the fifth planet of [[Betelgeuse]] and was a semi-cousin of [[Ford Prefect]], with whom he shared three of the same mothers. Due to an accident with a contraceptive and a time machine, his direct ancestors from his father were also his direct descendants.
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'''Zaphod Beeblebrox''', or the '''Big Z''', was a former President of the Galaxy. At the beginning of ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' Zaphod steals the starship [[Heart of Gold]], which [[Arthur Dent]] and Zaphod's semi-cousin [[Ford Prefect]] later hitch-hike onto. Zaphod is travelling with [[Trillian]], a [[human]] astrophysicist, and it is later revealed that the two of them once met Arthur at a party on [[Earth]] in [[Islington]].
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== Physical appearance ==
 
Zaphod has two heads, which can both function independently, and are known to interrupt each other when speaking. He also has three arms, and mentions that his third arm was added on to help with his ski-boxing.<ref name="hhg">In [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (book)|''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'']].</ref> It seems that the third arm is part of his species that has an opt-in policy since he grows it back for [[Trillian]]. Zaphod states that the second head is the result of carving in his brain.<ref name="mov">In [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film)|''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'']].</ref> Zaphod did this to conceal his true reason for running for President.<ref name="books">In the [[Douglas Adams]] books. This is a major scheme which takes up the majority of the second book and follows into others</ref><ref name="game">While other media have claimed his head was always there (the Text Adventure Game, also written by [[Douglas Adams]] claimed that Arthur only did not see it at the party they met was that it was a fancy dress party and Zaphod had disguised his second head as a parrot so as to complete his pirate costume, the movie states it was the result of the carving, which had been done because Beeblebrox did not think "anyone can be President with a full brain."</ref>
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=== Left Brain ===
 
Later in the series, Zaphod has his second head (apparently the more intelligent one) detached and functioning as the ''[[Heart of Gold]]'' computer, replacing [[Eddie the Computer|Eddie]].<ref name="aat">In the semi-official [[Eoin Colfer]] novel [[And Another Thing...]]</ref> This leaves the still attached Zaphod a little slower witted but it is noted that Left Brain being in charge of the ship has decreased the amount of accidents that would have been caused by Eddie. Left Brain and Zaphod develop a semi-antagonistic relationship despite still working with each other. At the end of the novel they are both working on Zaphod's presidential re-election campaign. Ford was also able to freeze Left Brain in a logic debate over the improbability of the ''Heart of Gold'' saving him and Arthur from doom near Earth twice after the ship saves them from the [[Grebulons|Grebulon]]'s death beams.
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[[File:Zaphod.jpg|thumb|Zaphod as seen in the 2005 film]]
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== Personality ==
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Zaphod is said to be "clever, imaginative, irresponsible, untrustworthy, extrovert, nothing you couldn't have guessed." As President of the Galaxy, his responsibility in that position was to draw attention away from the true rulers of the universe. To that end, Zaphod and his outrageous behaviour were highly successful.
   
Zaphod has two heads, three arms and is "clever, imaginative, irresponsible, untrustworthy, extrovert, nothing you couldn't have guessed". As President of the Galaxy, his responsibility in that position was to draw attention away from the true rulers of the universe. To that end, Zaphod and his outrageous behavior were highly successful. And he is the only man to have survived the [[Total Perspective Vortex]] (albeit in an electronically synthesized universe which was created especially for him). He used his position as President of the Galaxy to steal the [[Heart of Gold]], a spaceship taking advantage of the [[Infinite Improbability Drive]], at its unveiling. He is also the inventor of the [[Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster]], and is the only person alive who can drink more than three in a single sitting.
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He is the only man to have survived the [[Total Perspective Vortex]] (albeit in an electronically synthesized universe which was created especially for him). He used his position as President of the Galaxy to steal the [[Heart of Gold]], a spaceship taking advantage of the [[Infinite Improbability Drive]], at its unveiling. He is also the inventor of the [[Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster]] and is the only person alive who can drink more than three in a single sitting.
   
 
Zaphod has a successful business in secondhand biros. This may be due to his discovery of a planet where biros escape to. If so, he employed a man to sit on this now empty planet denying the whole thing.
He mentions that his third arm was added on to help with his ski-boxing.<ref name = hhg>In the first book</ref> It seems that the third arm is part of his species that has an opt in policy, since he grows it back for [[Trillian]].<ref name = rad1>In the radio show</ref> Zaphod states that the second head is the result of carving in his brain.<ref name = mov>In the movie</ref> Zaphod did this to conceal his true reason for running for President.<ref name =books> In the [[Douglas Adams]] books. This is a major scheme which takes up the majority of the second book and follows into others</ref><ref name =game>While other media have claimed his head was always there (the Text Adventure Game, also written by [[Douglas Adams]] claimed that Arthur only did not see it at the party they met was that it was a fancy dress party and Zaphod had disguised his second head as a parrot so as to complete his pirate costume, the movie states it was the result of the carving, which had been done because Beeblebrox did not think "anyone can be President with a full brain."</ref>
 
   
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== Known relatives ==
Zaphod has a successful business in secondhand biros. This may be due to his discovery of a planet where biros escape to live a nice biroey life. If so, he employed a man to sit on this now empty planet denying the whole thing.
 
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[[Zaphod Beeblebrox IV]] is introduced as Zaphod's grandfather, who is dead. Zaphod, along with Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent, contacts him in the afterlife when seeking help. Zaphod's other relatives include (in order of descent): Zaphod III, Zaphod II, and Zaphod I.
   
The character of [[Judiciary Pag]] - or '''Zipo Bibrok 5 × 10<sup>8</sup>''' as he is also known - appears to be related to Zaphod's family. They share the same carefree and charming attitude, and Pag's real name appears to be a mutation of Zaphod's name. Since the Beeblebrox family lives backwards in time, Pag is therefore one of Zaphod's descendants (despite living in the distant past).
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The character of [[Judiciary Pag]] - or Zipo Bibrok 5 × 10<sup>8</sup> as he is also known - could be related to Zaphod's family. They share the same carefree and charming attitude, and Pag's real name appears to be a mutation of Zaphod's name. Since the Beeblebrox family lives backwards in time, Pag is, therefore, one of Zaphod's descendants (despite living in the distant past).
   
== Left Brain ==
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== History ==
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He was born on the fifth planet of [[Betelgeuse]] and was a semi-cousin of [[Ford Prefect]], with whom he shared three of the same mothers. Due to an accident with a contraceptive and a time machine, his direct ancestors from his father were also his direct descendants.
Zaphod has his second head (apparently the more intelligent one) detached and functioning as the ''[[Heart of Gold]]'' computer, replacing [[Eddie the Computer|Eddie]].<ref name = aat>In the semi-official [[Eoin Colfer]] novel [[And Another Thing...]]</ref> This leaves the still attached Zaphod a little slower witted but it is noted that Left Brain being in charge of the ship has decreased the amount of accidents that would have been caused by Eddie. Left Brain and Zaphod develop a semi-antagonistic relationship despite still working with each other. At the end of the novel they are both working on Zaphod's presidential re-election campaign. Ford was also able to freeze Left Brain in a logic debate over the improbability of the ''Heart of Gold'' saving him and Arthur from doom near Earth twice after the ship saves them from the [[Grebulon]]'s death beams.
 
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== Trivia ==
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* Zaphod is known to carry adrenaline tablets with him, as in ''Fit the Fourth'' he says: "Oh hell, I think I dropped my adrenaline pills".
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 12:59, 16 February 2020

The best bang since the Big One.
Eccentrica Gallumbits in Street Walkie-Talkie Weekly[src]

Zaphod Beeblebrox, or the Big Z, was a former President of the Galaxy. At the beginning of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Zaphod steals the starship Heart of Gold, which Arthur Dent and Zaphod's semi-cousin Ford Prefect later hitch-hike onto. Zaphod is travelling with Trillian, a human astrophysicist, and it is later revealed that the two of them once met Arthur at a party on Earth in Islington.

Physical appearance

Zaphod has two heads, which can both function independently, and are known to interrupt each other when speaking. He also has three arms, and mentions that his third arm was added on to help with his ski-boxing.[2] It seems that the third arm is part of his species that has an opt-in policy since he grows it back for Trillian. Zaphod states that the second head is the result of carving in his brain.[3] Zaphod did this to conceal his true reason for running for President.[4][5]

Left Brain

Later in the series, Zaphod has his second head (apparently the more intelligent one) detached and functioning as the Heart of Gold computer, replacing Eddie.[6] This leaves the still attached Zaphod a little slower witted but it is noted that Left Brain being in charge of the ship has decreased the amount of accidents that would have been caused by Eddie. Left Brain and Zaphod develop a semi-antagonistic relationship despite still working with each other. At the end of the novel they are both working on Zaphod's presidential re-election campaign. Ford was also able to freeze Left Brain in a logic debate over the improbability of the Heart of Gold saving him and Arthur from doom near Earth twice after the ship saves them from the Grebulon's death beams.

Zaphod

Zaphod as seen in the 2005 film

Personality

Zaphod is said to be "clever, imaginative, irresponsible, untrustworthy, extrovert, nothing you couldn't have guessed." As President of the Galaxy, his responsibility in that position was to draw attention away from the true rulers of the universe. To that end, Zaphod and his outrageous behaviour were highly successful.

He is the only man to have survived the Total Perspective Vortex (albeit in an electronically synthesized universe which was created especially for him). He used his position as President of the Galaxy to steal the Heart of Gold, a spaceship taking advantage of the Infinite Improbability Drive, at its unveiling. He is also the inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster and is the only person alive who can drink more than three in a single sitting.

Zaphod has a successful business in secondhand biros. This may be due to his discovery of a planet where biros escape to. If so, he employed a man to sit on this now empty planet denying the whole thing.

Known relatives

Zaphod Beeblebrox IV is introduced as Zaphod's grandfather, who is dead. Zaphod, along with Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent, contacts him in the afterlife when seeking help. Zaphod's other relatives include (in order of descent): Zaphod III, Zaphod II, and Zaphod I.

The character of Judiciary Pag - or Zipo Bibrok 5 × 108 as he is also known - could be related to Zaphod's family. They share the same carefree and charming attitude, and Pag's real name appears to be a mutation of Zaphod's name. Since the Beeblebrox family lives backwards in time, Pag is, therefore, one of Zaphod's descendants (despite living in the distant past).

History

He was born on the fifth planet of Betelgeuse and was a semi-cousin of Ford Prefect, with whom he shared three of the same mothers. Due to an accident with a contraceptive and a time machine, his direct ancestors from his father were also his direct descendants.

Trivia

  • Zaphod is known to carry adrenaline tablets with him, as in Fit the Fourth he says: "Oh hell, I think I dropped my adrenaline pills".

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Template:Fit the Sixth Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Primary" defined multiple times with different content
  2. In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
  3. In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
  4. In the Douglas Adams books. This is a major scheme which takes up the majority of the second book and follows into others
  5. While other media have claimed his head was always there (the Text Adventure Game, also written by Douglas Adams claimed that Arthur only did not see it at the party they met was that it was a fancy dress party and Zaphod had disguised his second head as a parrot so as to complete his pirate costume, the movie states it was the result of the carving, which had been done because Beeblebrox did not think "anyone can be President with a full brain."
  6. In the semi-official Eoin Colfer novel And Another Thing...