RSS Feeds
Science
50 Consumer Technologies Developed by NASA in the Last 50 Years
Posted by Mark Wilson at 4:45 AM on October 10, 2008
Every year NASA publishes a new edition of their Spinoff magazine, a periodical that outlines NASA-based technologies that have disseminated into everyday devices, improving our lives beyond giving us some nifty new desktop wallpapers. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Spinoff, and to celebrate, NASA has created a "best of" list (that we pasted after the jump). From the aerodynamic principles applied to tractor trailers to advanced imaging techniques that allow 360-degree Real Estate photo tours, NASA demonstrates that their technological breakthroughs are about more than just sticking an American flag on the moon.
Health and Medicine
Robotics Offer Newfound Surgical Capabilities
In-Line Filtration Improves Hygiene and Reduces Expense
LED Device Illuminates New Path to Healing
Polymer Coats Leads on Implantable Medical Device
Lockable Knee Brace Speeds Rehabilitation
Robotic Joints Support Horses and Humans
Photorefraction Screens Millions for Vision Disorders
Periodontal Probe Improves Exams, Alleviates Pain
Magnetic Separator Enhances Treatment Possibilities
Transportation
Lithium Battery Power Delivers Electric Vehicles to Market
Advanced Control System Increases Helicopter Safety
Aerodynamics Research Revolutionizes Truck Design
Engineering Models Ease and Speed Prototyping
Software Performs Complex Design Analysis
Public Safety
Space Suit Technologies Protect Deep-Sea Divers
Fiber Optic Sensing Monitors Strain and Reduces Costs
Polymer Fabric Protects Firefighters, Military, and Civilians
Advanced X-Ray Sources Ensure Safe Environments
Consumer, Home and Recreation
Wireless Fluid-Level Measurement System Equips Boat Owners
Mars Cameras Make Panoramic Photography a Snap
Experiments Advance Gardening at Home and in Space
Space Age Swimsuit Reduces Drag, Breaks Records
Immersive Photography Renders 360° Views
Historic Partnership Captures Our Imagination
Outboard Motor Maximizes Power and Dependability
Space Research Fortifies Nutrition Worldwide
Aerogels Insulate Missions and Consumer Products
Environmental and Agricultural Resources
Computer Model Locates Environmental Hazards
Battery Technology Stores Clean Energy
Robots Explore the Farthest Reaches of Earth and Space
Portable Nanomesh Creates Safer Drinking Water
Innovative Stemless Valve Eliminates Emissions
Web-Based Mapping Puts the World at Your Fingertips
Computer Technology
Program Assists Satellite Designers
Water-Based Coating Simplifies Circuit Board Manufacturing
Software Schedules Missions, Aids Project Management
Software Analyzes Complex Systems in Real Time
Wireless Sensor Network Handles Image Data
Virtual Reality System Offers a Wide Perspective
Software Simulates Sight: Flat Panel Mura Detection
Inductive System Monitors Tasks
Mars Mapping Technology Brings Main Street to Life
Intelligent Memory Module Overcomes Harsh Environments
Integrated Circuit Chip Improves Network Efficiency
Industrial Productivity
Novel Process Revolutionizes Welding Industry
Sensors Increase Productivity in Harsh Environments
Portable Device Analyzes Rocks and Minerals
NASA Design Strengthens Welds
Polyimide Boosts High-Temperature Performance
NASA Innovation Builds Better Nanotubes
The 2008 edition of Spinoff is free online, with each of these 50 stories available in full for your reading pleasure. Even if you just give the headlines a skim here, the variety of accomplishments is pretty impressive. [Spinoff]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
dOk
Posted 6:16 AM 10/10/08
And as usual.. guess what department get budget hacks all the time...
Name some other source that contributes as much as NASA and isn't the world destroying DARPA.
dOk
GTgeek
Posted 6:10 AM 10/10/08
Although some of the items on the list are repeats, I love seeing this kind of article. Sometimes people have a hard time seeing the big picture of what happens at NASA...there is so much that goes into space flight that doesn't always get on the news.
GTgeek
Jrsy is the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude
Posted 6:05 AM 10/10/08
@Lite: NASA didn't event either of those products, they merely popularized them through their usage.
Jrsy is the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude
Lite
Posted 6:05 AM 10/10/08
@shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog: 50 years, and they still haven't perfected the tube technology for transporting people across the planet.
Lite
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
Posted 6:04 AM 10/10/08
They forgot Tempur-Pedic mattresses "From NASA to your home".
shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog
closhedbb
Posted 6:00 AM 10/10/08
And to think Space Porn was almost on the list...
closhedbb
bobojuice
Posted 5:57 AM 10/10/08
@Lite: "tang?"
I think you're thinking of nASSa.
bobojuice
bpapa9013
Posted 5:57 AM 10/10/08
WHAT ABOUT ASTRONAUT ICE CREAM?
bpapa9013
bobojuice
Posted 5:56 AM 10/10/08
Why the hell isn't SHAMWOW!! on there?
This list is BOGUS.
bobojuice
Lite
Posted 5:49 AM 10/10/08
No mention of velcro or tang?
Lite
frigg
Posted 6:37 AM 10/10/08
Spinoffs are great, but there's always something about them that seems a little methinks the NASA doth protest too much. I mean, shouldn't space exploration be sufficiently compelling in and of itself that there isn't a need to run around extolling the virtues of an underwater placemat developed by a satellite tech at JPL to justify its bad self?
frigg
Rabid Penguin
Posted 7:01 AM 10/10/08
@bpapa9013: You mean Dippin' Dots?
Rabid Penguin
Shockage
Posted 6:49 AM 10/10/08
I ♥ NASA
I'd like to see their budget increase 2x...3x and see what they can put out in 10 years with that kind of money @.x
Shockage
ePod
Posted 6:46 AM 10/10/08
@Jrsy is the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another du...: This is only the 2008 edition anyway.
ePod
purple-pillows
Posted 6:45 AM 10/10/08
there will be so much more once we start building for mars missions... so much more... like wireless fiber optics type things... they arent going to want 8+ minutes delays when you hear "houston we have a problem"... so wi-max but you will be replaces before you are born...
purple-pillows
purple-pillows
Posted 6:41 AM 10/10/08
@bobojuice: shamwow is german
purple-pillows
Rabid Penguin
Posted 7:03 AM 10/10/08
@Lite: I believe Tang was made by General Mills in the 30's and Velcro is a Swedish invention from the 40's - NASA started in the 60's.
But don't take my word on it... I like to post stuff without first looking it up.
Rabid Penguin
winshape
Posted 7:31 AM 10/10/08
@frigg: Ideally, yes. Realistically, people demand some sort of return on their investment. It's hard to put a monetary amount on "dang, that's cool!", so they point out the increases in battery life, new polymers, protein crystals, etc.
winshape
educating_fire01
Posted 7:29 AM 10/10/08
What about visco elastic memory foam?
educating_fire01
EricAlder
Posted 7:29 AM 10/10/08
... and NO flying car! (Boo!)
EricAlder
GTgeek
Posted 7:28 AM 10/10/08
@frigg: Is it really protest to tell people about the things you've accomplished?
GTgeek
Noobs-R-Us
Posted 7:58 AM 10/10/08
Oh please, we all know where all these things REALLY comes from: Roswell.
Noobs-R-Us
bbfreak
Posted 7:44 AM 10/10/08
@frigg: People get bored rather easily, sure its compelling by it self to those who understand the worth of expanding human knowledge. Ya know, because you can't directly make a profit with it if at all! *shrugs* If you want a perfect example you don't have to look too far. Look at Phoenix, those armchair scientist/engineers have been calling it a failure since it landed while its done everything it came to do and more! Not to mention its a freaking scout mission, which means its designed to be cheap and yes it was cheap as far as space exploration goes (certainly cheaper then the entitlement programs bankrupting this country, but then again everybody wants a hand out!).
As for the JPL, what exactly have they done wrong? O.o
bbfreak
fastharry
Posted 8:05 AM 10/10/08
How come that rocket scientist Al Gore isn't credited with starting the Inet...
fastharry
BongoFury
Posted 8:04 AM 10/10/08
Fifty years? phhht! What have you done for me LATELY?
BongoFury
bimplebean
Posted 8:41 AM 10/10/08
I'm jonesing for some Space Food Sticks right about now...take me back to my childhood...
bimplebean
vgart
Posted 8:38 AM 10/10/08
iLOVE NASA
vgart
vgart
Posted 8:37 AM 10/10/08
@Shockage:
That would be great, but I don't think anyone can afford NASA at the time. Maybe when the crisis passes.
vgart
vgart
Posted 8:37 AM 10/10/08
@GTgeek:
I love it too, but there are Space and Nasa blogs too, you know.
vgart
Sam_Zebian
Posted 8:48 AM 10/10/08
and they didn't even put the famous astronaut helmet that is now used in all of the movies, known for as a universal representation for most sci-fi books, games and movies, etc. because they designed it.(think of games like halo; doesn't that helmet design at least resemble the astronaut helmets in a few ways, like the sun blocking helmet part)
Sam_Zebian
Lupison
Posted 9:41 AM 10/10/08
I remember reading once that thier advancments in Silicon provided the breakthrough for breast implants.
And those damn replubicans always want to cut thier funding! Think of the enoramous non-bouncing solid as a rock breasts on Cinemax man!
Lupison
Nickolai_the_Russian_guy
Posted 9:28 AM 10/10/08
Hw is "historic partnership" a NASA innovation?
Nickolai_the_Russian_guy
Polybius
Posted 11:34 AM 10/10/08
@Lite: Velco was a Vulcan invention brought to Earth by T'Pol...
Polybius
icelight
Posted 12:30 PM 10/10/08
@vgart: Doubling NASA's budget (~12B dollars) is about 1% of the total expenditures on the financial crisis. Given the astounding return on investment NASA offers, and the fact that the market it still tanking, I'd say it would be a better investment than what we're doing now.
icelight
praefector
Posted 12:52 PM 10/10/08
"Experiments Advance Gardening at Home and in Space" has such a profound impact!
praefector
Jrsy is the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude
Posted 2:50 PM 10/10/08
@Rabid Penguin: You are correct sir!
Or close enough...
Jrsy is the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude
gothamdarkknight
Posted 4:14 PM 10/10/08
that is why we don't want any damn hippies urnning the government.
Almost all leaps in technology are military funded...
gothamdarkknight
Beryen
Posted 4:42 PM 10/10/08
I have a theory about how NASA back engineers all the stuff from the Roswell crash....
You see....they took the crashed "vehicle" complete with its odd markings to a nice secret base somewhere and started to reverse engineer all the "wreckage" that they found inside.
What they failed to realize is that the strange markings said "Garbage Pod" and it was full of failed and broken technology that the aliens had decided to jetison as junk because it was "Mostly worthless and a technological dead end"
Ya gotta admit that my theory does explain a lot about some of our technology :-P
Beryen
tylerstyle
Posted 7:09 PM 10/10/08
@praefector: It will be, as soon as our atmosphere is wasted! You gotta plan for the Future, man.
tylerstyle
tylerstyle
Posted 7:07 PM 10/10/08
@Shockage: Yup. We need a "Eureka" like Town. Without the military research.
tylerstyle
hagrun
Posted 11:59 PM 10/10/08
@Beryen: That would account for the unending supply of new ipod docks.
hagrun