[OT] The Borg

Were the pasty-faced bionic zombies invented by Gene Roddenberry?
While he was still alive? If so, did he ever say much about them?
Like, "These are the best Star Trek villains ever," or "They were
only meant for the one show; I don't know why everybody's latched on
to them."

I know that some peoples hang out here who are bigger ST fans than
I. I think of myself as a "near fan." Thus, I hope that somebody
here will know the answer to this question (or, more accurately,
these questions).

Thanks.

Xenophile (unassimilated... so far)