Gene Roddenberry
The issue is also shown in the film "Trekkies 2", in which a "Star Trek" fan recounts a supposed incident during a "Star Trek" convention where Gene Roddenberry used the term "trekkies" to describe fans of the show, only to be corrected by a fan that stood up and yelled "Trekkers!" Gene Roddenberry responded with "No, it's 'Trekkies.' I should know — I invented the thing."