NASA has invented some of the most interesting daily life products that you won’t believe had any connection with space tech. Have a look.
What comes to your mind when you hear some news regarding NASA? Satellite launches, space missions, new technological inventions to test planetary defense against asteroids, and everything related to space, galaxy, planets, and more, right? But what if we tell you that NASA has invented some of the daily life essential gadgets in your home? Surprised! Yes, that’s true! US space agency NASA has created some common products such as vacuum cleaners, cameras, shoes, and even foam. However, most of these began as a result of research in order to create more effective technology to be used in space craft and by astronauts. Here is a list of technologies that you can even use in your own daily life.
Digital Image Sensors
Next time when you use your DSLR camera, smartphone, or even GoPro to take pictures and videos, remember that you are using NASA technology. The space agency confirmed that “the CMOS active pixel sensor in most digital image-capturing devices was invented when NASA needed to miniaturize cameras for interplanetary missions.” This technology is even widely used in medical imaging and dental X-ray devices.
Vacuum cleaner without cord!
Amazingly, a cordless vacuum is the result of NASA’s need for cordless power tools. NASA shared that an Apollo-era partnership going back to the 1960s and 1970s with Black & Decker to build battery-operated tools for moon exploration and sample collection led to the development of the popular Dustbuster cordless vacuum.
Athletic shoes
Earlier, NASA has been using the “blow rubber molding” process to create shock-absorbing helmets. Later, the tech also applied to shoe soles, which helped to feature a shock-absorbing material.
Temper Foam
A foam by NASA! This may sound unrealistic but an extremely soft, shock-absorbing material also came out of NASA technology. It is known as Temper foam, whose origins date back to 1966 when it was developed to absorb various forms of shocks or impacts. It offers improved protection and comfort in NASA’s airplane seats, and later added to many other useful items
Computer Mouse
The widely used product in our daily office or school or college life, a computer mouse actually originated when Bob Taylor, who was a worker on flight control systems for NASA found a way to make computers more functional. At that time, Taylor points out, computers were still “thought of as arithmetic machines.” In effect, nothing more than glorified calculators.