From Wikipedia - Glen A. Larson, the Executive Producer of Battlestar Galactica, has stated in many interviews that he originally conceived of the Galactica premise in the late 1960s, which he originally called Adam's Ark. However, he was unable to get the project greenlit for many years.
Adam's Ark - Commander Adama! Suddenly it all fits! (BTW shouldn't that be Noah. Someone wasn't paying attention during Bible class)