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Modern Insulation
Thanks to developing special vacuum metalizing techniques, NASA was able to create Insulating barriers made of metalized foil laid over a core of propylene or mylar, which protected astronauts and their spacecraft’s delicate instruments from radiation and heat. This is now found in common home insulation. -
The First Launch Into Space
The Soviet Reunion sent the first unmanned mission into space. The satelittle was called Spudnik 1. That was the first launch into space. -
The digital camera was thought up
In 1960 the concept of a digital camera was made up. -
Cordless Tools
While the first was invented by Black & Decker in 1961, in 1963 Martin Marietta Corporation contracted with Black & Decker to design tools for NASA. As a result of this work, Black & Decker created several spinoffs, including cordless lightweight battery powered precision medical instruments and a cordless miniature vacuum cleaner called the Dustbuster. This research paved the way for our current cordless tools. -
Dogs go to Space
The Soviet craft Sputnik 5 was launched, carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka. They became the first living beings to survive a trip into space. -
Satellite Televsion
Without the technology pioneered by NASA they used to fix errors in spacecraft signals, we would be unable to reduce and correct scrambled pictures and sound in satellite television signals. -
Memory Foam
Memory foam, also known as temper foam, was developed under a NASA contract in the 1970s that set out to improve seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers. Memory foam has widespread commercial applications, in addition to the popular mattresses and pillows. -
First Landing on Venus
The Soviet Venera 7 became the first probe to land on Venus. -
Adjustable Smoke Detectors
Teaming up with Honeywell Corporation, NASA invented the first adjustable smoke detector with different sensitivity levels to prevent false alarms. They use a radioactive element called americium-241 to spot smoke or harmful gasses. When clean air particles of oxygen and nitrogen move through smoke detectors, the americium-241 ionizes them, which creates an electrical current. If foreign smoke particles enter the smoke detector, it disrupts that interaction, triggering the alarm. -
Ear Thermometer
Diatek Corporation and NASA developed an aural thermometer. It uses infrared astronomy technology to measure the amount of energy emitted by the eardrum, the same way the temperature of stars and planets is measured. This permits quick temperature measurement of newborn or incapacitated patients. -
Scratch Resisstant Lens
Scratch-resistant lenses were developed by NASA by applying a diamond-like lubricating coat over plastic lenses. This application was originally used in the space program in a “dual ion-beam bonding process” to protect astronaut’s visors. Today, the coating is still used on hard resin plastic used in most eye glasses that people wear everyday.
