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We watch NASA astronauts in awe, day-dreaming of catapulting into space -- even if only for a moment of weightless existence. Most of us feel far removed from outer space, watching from the sidelines as the space agency shines a light on our mysterious universe. But we may not be as far removed as we think. The organization's technology keeps the United States globally competitive in scientific research. In fact, it may surprise you how many space-age technological advancements of the past now rest in your attic. How has NASA affected the Dallas Cowboys? Find out on the next page. NASA commissioned inventor Charles Yost to minimize impact and increase survivability of crashes aboard Apollo crafts. Today we use the technology in a host of applications, including that discarded mattress pad that sits idle in your attic until your out-of-town guests stop by for a sleepover. It minimizes impact by compressing to 10 percent of its original size before springing back to its initial shape.
It also wicks water away rather than absorbing it like other forms of padding. The material avoids excessive pressure on certain points of the body, preventing bedsores. Do we have NASA to thank for the cordless drill? Read on to find out. That cordless power drill you gave dad years ago now sits lifeless in storage. Though today it seems insignificant, cordless tools were a crucial invention necessary for space travel. While NASA didn't actually invent the cordless power drill, a partnership with Black and Decker is responsible for many of the cordless tools we have today. Alonzo Decker came up with the idea for cordless tools to help workers installing storm windows in residential homes. While installing storm windows, workmen would plug into power sockets indoors. The process was cumbersome and inconvenient. Decker knew he was on to something. Conveniently, NASA urgently needed the technology in space, and so an alliance was born.
The cordless hammer drill extracted rock samples from the moon for testing on Earth. This early invention led to other cordless tools including the cordless vacuum, drill and shrub trimmer. Read on to learn what automatic film advancement meant for space travel. Debuting in 1978, the DustBuster was the first vacuum stored in plain view -- plugged into an electrical socket instead of in a storage closet. We're obsessed with digital cameras. We view photos digitally before they're ever printed. Memories are no longer stored in photo albums, but instead we share them virtually through online social networking sites like Facebook and Flickr. But before digital cameras, Nikon's automatic film advancement camera changed the face of photography. While that clunky camera may not see the light of day today, the invention initially meant the space crew could record images of space in a weightless environment. Astronauts could quickly advance to the next picture and tell a story through photos.
This space-friendly camera came with special criteria. Its easy operation meant the crew could manage it while wearing gloves. It was also free of any environmental gases or toxins, which was critical in an air-tight environment. Today, Nikon's partnership with NASA continues to generate stunning images from outer space. NASA takes the nuisance out of the smoke detector, on the next page. Non-nuisance smoke alarms protect us from the dangers of fire damage and smoke without continuous false alarms. We can cook foods at high temperatures without enduring the persistent beeping of an oversensitive alarm. The new smoke detector had adjustable sensitivity so that the crew would be safe without unnecessary interruptions. And today, you likely guard your attic against fire dangers with a more modern version of this safety device. What modern invention protects the space crew from extreme temperatures? Find out on the next page. You're probably wondering what a Smart House Radiant Barrier is, let alone why it would be in your attic. In fact, the Smart House Program, a business venture started by Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems, Inc. and Smart House Consultants, often guarantees a ceiling on your energy usage each month. The advanced seal kept the temperatures inside the vessel comfortable. The main component of the technology, an aluminized heat shield, translates to highly efficient residential construction. Is your interest in NASA beginning to reach new heights? You're in luck -- we have lots more information on the next page. Chang, Kenneth. "Space Tourism May Mean One Giant Leap for Researchers." The New York Times. Consumer Home Recreation NASA Web site. Marshall Space Flight Center Web site. Otto, Sasjkia. "Apollo 11 moon landing: top 15 NASA inventions." The Telegraph.
When you removed the putty from the egg and began to handle it, you saw its peculiar properties immediately: It stretched like taffy, yet broke into pieces if you struck it sharply. You could form it into shapes, like Play-Doh, but unlike its modeling-compound cousin, which held a pose indefinitely, Silly Putty flowed in slow motion. Stick it on the side of a filing cabinet, for example, and it would run down the side slowly, taking weeks -- even months -- to respond to gravity's downward pull. Interestingly, he didn't think these qualities would attract kids. In fact, Hodgson saw his product as a purely adult diversion. 1950 article for The New Yorker. It didn't take long for kids to see what adults were playing with and to sneak some covert samples. And luckily for everyone, one of Silly Putty's other properties -- nontoxicity -- meant that no one had to worry about accidental poisoning.
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