archives

President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958 creating NASA. The agency began operations on October 1, 1958.

Besides capturing the imagination of the world and allowing us to look further into the universe and then travel great distances to look back upon ourselves, the agency now holds over 6,300 patents.

In that time they have also changed our lives through their innovations and tireless exploration.

NASA's terrestrial contributions include:
Information about hurricanes, wildfires, geophysics, environmental management
Aeronautics improvements in general, like collision avoidance and anti-icing systems
Advances in parachutes, parachute systems for airplanes
Advances in plastics, materials science
Automotive/truck safety, efficiency innovations, grooved pavement
Manufacturing design tools
LEDs
Wastewater management, water purification
Kidney dialysis machines, CAT and MRI scanners
Cardiovascular innovations, insulin pumps
Young child vision screening, as an offshoot of image processing
Ear thermometers
Bonded dry lubricant surfaces
Memory metal alloys
Cordless power tools
Hazardous gas detectors, smoke detectors
Satellite dishes
Joysticks
Scratch resistant and UV-blocking glasses
Wireless headsets, audio equipment
Athletic footwear improvements
Enriched baby food
Vacuum-seal and freeze-dried food preservation
Food safety systems, ethylene gas food spoilage removal system
Insulating sound barriers
Fireproof and cool suits, thermal gloves and boots
Temper foam, shock-absorbing helmets

For more, go to
The NASA spinoff page