We are surrounded by objects from space. I don’t mean moon rock or stuff along those lines. I am referring to the inventions that came about because of the Space program, particularly from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). For every 1,000 patents granted, one of them can be traced back to a NASA project. Without the inventions by NASA, we would not have satellites and that would mean, no GPS for phones or long range communications including most TV transmissions. Satellites have had the biggest impact without a doubt but we will concentrate this article on some of the other NASA products that we take for granted.
Water filter
NASA had to find a way to hydrate the astronauts and the water filter was born. Today, the Brita water filter in the refrigerator is a direct byproduct of NASA and the invention of the Microbial Check valve that used iodine to filter contaminants from water to provide for clean drinking water in space. This technology is also used by local municipalities for their water plants. NASA has even figured out how to filter urine so astronauts are able to use that source as well. Amazing!
Scratch resistant Eyeglass lenses
At the same time NASA was inventing the water filter, it was experimenting with a way to coat the filter so it would have a long shelf life and not have to be replaced frequently. A researcher applied an electrical discharge to the filter which produced a very hard, invisible coating. NASA realized that it’s hard coating had another purpose. That was to coat the visors of the Space helmets and other equipment like safety glass. In 1983, Foster Grant, commercialized the usage of the technology and today most eyeglasses have this feature. It has saved countless amount of people from glass shards to the eye and eyeglasses today last 10 times as long.
Memory Foam
Can’t even think about the old days of lumpy mattresses. Waking up stiff and sore. Well, thank NASA for that nightly 8 hours of restful, comfortable sleep. NASA invented memory foam to prevent injury to astronauts. It was developed to lessen the impact of crashes and absorb the kinetic energy of a crash. It was used for seating aboard space craft. This amazing invention has found an everyday usage in the manufacture of beds. It can be found in wheel chair padding and hospital beds designed to alleviate bed sores and to give more support and comfort to the sick and elderly. Shoe insoles have also used the technology for a better insole to protect the feet. We have not even scratched the surface on all the uses of this amazing invention.
Cordless tools
The Dustbuster and other cordless tools were invented because of the need for Astronauts to work with an independent, rechargeable power source. No “plugging in” in outer space. Black and Decker, contracted by Martin Marietta Corp for NASA, invented the battery operated tool. So the next time, you need to screw in a fixture, and you grab that cordless screwdriver, know that it is here because of NASA.
Mylar
An aluminum coated, plastic material that was designed to trap and reflect heat for space craft. Today, Mylar is used in all types of ways. From the Mylar balloon in the local party store all the way to the Mylar blankets used in marathon races and rescue missions. An amazing invention with many ordinary applications.
NASA spawns technology
We all benefit beyond the obvious because of NASA. Thousands of inventions spinning off to thousands more that benefit mankind. Some of these have been life changing and others make life easier. Either way, there is no price you can put on the work that NASA has performed since its formation by President Eisenhower in 1958.
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