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In the 1960s, NASA collaborated with Nikon to create cameras featuring automatic functionalities that are now commonplace. Explore more images of astronauts.
Getty ImagesWe gaze in admiration at NASA astronauts, fantasizing about the thrill of space travel, even if just to experience a fleeting moment of weightlessness. While many of us feel distant from the cosmos, observing from afar as NASA unravels the universe's secrets, the connection might be closer than we realize.
Since its establishment in 1958, NASA has achieved milestones such as sending the first American to space in 1961, landing the first man on the moon in 1969, launching a mission to Jupiter in 1972, and setting up the International Space Station in 1998. (Discover more in NASA's 10 Greatest Achievements.) Remarkably, 8% of global inventions trace their origins, in some way, to NASA's research [source: NASA 360]. The agency's innovations ensure the United States remains a leader in scientific exploration.
Many groundbreaking technologies originally designed for space exploration have found their way into our daily lives. It might astonish you to discover how many of these advanced space-age inventions are now tucked away in your attic.
Curious about NASA's influence on the Dallas Cowboys? Discover more on the following page.
5: Memory Foam
Sending astronauts into space at 17,500 miles per hour (7.823 kilometers per second) required a solution to cushion the intense vibrations. Memory foam, developed in 1966, was NASA's answer [sources: Chang, NASA Spinoff]. Inventor Charles Yost was tasked with enhancing crash survivability in Apollo spacecraft. Today, this innovation is widely used, including in that old mattress pad stored in your attic, ready for guests.
Originally called temper foam, this material compresses to 10% of its size before rebounding, making it ideal for mattress pads, orthopedic supports, motorcycle seats, saddles, and splint pads [source: NASA Spinoff]. Unlike traditional padding, it repels water instead of absorbing it.
Memory foam has revolutionized the medical field by offering comfort to patients confined to beds, reducing pressure points and preventing bedsores. It even made its way into the Dallas Cowboys' helmets during the 1970s and 1980s.
Is NASA responsible for the invention of the cordless drill? Continue reading to uncover the answer.
4: Cordless Power Tools
The cordless power drill you gifted your father years ago now lies unused in storage. While it may seem trivial today, cordless tools were a groundbreaking innovation essential for space exploration. Although NASA didn’t create the cordless drill, its collaboration with Black and Decker paved the way for many of the cordless devices we use now.
Recognizing the absence of power outlets in space, NASA partnered with Black and Decker, which had been developing cordless technology since the 1950s [source: NASA 360]. Alonzo Decker initially conceived cordless tools to assist workers installing storm windows in homes, as relying on indoor power sources was inefficient. This idea caught NASA’s attention, as the agency required similar technology for its space missions, leading to a fruitful collaboration.
Their joint efforts produced the cordless rotary hammer drill for the Apollo 15 mission, which collected lunar rock samples for analysis on Earth. This innovation spurred the development of other cordless devices, such as vacuums, drills, and shrub trimmers.
Continue reading to discover how automatic film advancement revolutionized space exploration.
Introduced in 1978, the DustBuster was the first vacuum designed to be displayed openly, plugged directly into an outlet rather than hidden away. Its vacuum-and-charger concept drew inspiration from the classic telephone and receiver design [source: Black and Decker].
3: Nikon Automatic Film Advancement Cameras
Today, we’re captivated by digital cameras, previewing images instantly and sharing them online through platforms like Facebook and Flickr. However, before the digital era, Nikon’s automatic film advancement camera transformed photography. Though these bulky cameras are now outdated, they were crucial for astronauts to capture images of space in zero gravity.
Nikon cameras were first utilized during Apollo missions 15 to 17 in the 1970s [source: Nikon]. These cameras allowed astronauts to swiftly advance to the next frame, documenting their journey through photos. Designed for space, the cameras were easy to operate even with gloves and were free of harmful gases, making them safe for use in sealed environments.
The camera featured an automatic built-in light adjustment mechanism, ensuring crisp images from space. Even today, Nikon’s collaboration with NASA continues to produce breathtaking photographs of the cosmos.
Discover how NASA revolutionized smoke detectors on the next page.
2: The Non-nuisance Smoke Detector
The next time you cook at high heat, you can thank NASA for refining smoke detectors to minimize those frustrating false alarms.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockAlthough NASA didn’t create the first smoke detector, its partnership with Honeywell Corporation in the 1970s led to a more advanced version [source: NASA]. The Honeywell AC/battery backup smoke and fire detector, powered by a self-recharging nickel cadmium battery, became the most advanced alarm system of its time [source: NASA Tech].
Advanced smoke alarms ensure safety from fire and smoke hazards without the annoyance of frequent false alerts. These devices allow for high-temperature cooking without the constant disturbance of an overly sensitive alarm.
Skylab, America's inaugural space station, utilized innovative smoke detectors to shield astronauts from harmful gases. These detectors featured adjustable sensitivity, ensuring safety without unwarranted alarms. Today, a more advanced iteration of this technology likely safeguards your attic from fire risks. (For further insights into smoke detectors, refer to How Smoke Detectors Work.)
Discover which contemporary invention shields space crews from severe temperature fluctuations on the following page.
1: Smart House Radiant Barriers
Curious about Smart House Radiant Barriers and their attic presence? This state-of-the-art insulation technology, combined with other modern home-building methods, can enhance heating and cooling efficiency by up to 50 percent [source: Smart Houses].
The Smart House Program, a collaborative initiative by Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems, Inc. and Smart House Consultants, frequently ensures a monthly cap on your energy consumption.
Originally developed for the airtight Apollo spacecraft, this technology addresses extreme temperature fluctuations in space, ranging from 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.44 degrees Celsius) to -400 degrees Fahrenheit (-240 degrees Celsius) [source: Smart Houses]. Its advanced sealing mechanism maintained a stable internal environment.
At the core of this innovation lies an aluminized heat shield, which enhances residential construction efficiency. This barrier blocks external air and moisture while reflecting 95 percent of solar heat [source: NASA Benefits at Home].
Is your fascination with NASA growing? Explore more exciting details on the following page.
