Handheld Vacuum
Nowadays, almost everyone has a handheld vacuum at home. Its compact size makes it useful not only for cleaning the couch in the living room but also for car seats. Moreover, modern handheld vacuums don't even need a power outlet as they have their own battery.
The current handheld vacuum is derived from the lunar dust collector developed by NASA engineers. The inventors probably never imagined that their creation would one day be such a hit.
Communication Headsets
Space suits have long come with built-in headsets. During the Apollo missions, astronauts wore a communications cap with earphones and microphones that became known as the Snoopy cap because its black-and-white coloring resembled the comic strip character.
Neil Armstrong himself wore one when he became the first person to step onto an extraterrestrial body.
Remote Thermometers
Remote thermometers are very popular today, especially in healthcare facilities. Higher quality models measure quite accurately and allow for significant distance from patients, reducing potential infection risks.
In this case, too, we owe this invention to NASA. They have long used similar methods to measure the temperature of various space objects, just as we measure body temperature in humans today.
Durable Eyeglass Lenses
The original eyeglass lenses were made of glass, which is very fragile and thus impractical. Over time, plastic lenses began to be used. While they didn't shatter with every knock, they could still be scratched relatively easily.
NASA inventors provided the solution. They developed materials resistant to both breakage and scratching. However, this invention was not intended for widespread use. These materials were initially developed to enhance the durability of astronaut helmet visors.
Mobile Phone Cameras
Mobile phones have long been more than just devices for calls and texts. Today, they are multifunctional gadgets capable of taking excellent photos. This requires a miniature camera. Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory helped develop the CMOS active-pixel sensor technology used in many modern cameras.
They needed something small that wouldn't take up much space in the confined areas of spacecraft, yet still provide high-quality images.
Memory Foam
Thanks to NASA, millions of people worldwide can sleep much better. Their scientists invented memory foam, commonly used in mattresses and pillows.
This material can adapt to a person's shape, leading to greater comfort.
FAQ
Where do scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses come from?
NASA inventors developed materials resistant to both breakage and scratching. They were originally meant to make astronaut helmet visors more durable, not for widespread use.
Who invented memory foam?
NASA scientists did. The material adapts to a person's shape, which makes mattresses and pillows more comfortable.
Is the handheld vacuum a NASA invention?
In origin, yes. The current handheld vacuum is derived from the lunar dust collector developed by NASA engineers.
Where do remote thermometers come from?
NASA has long used similar methods to measure the temperature of space objects. Good remote thermometers measure quite accurately from a distance, which reduces infection risks in healthcare.
NASA as a Fountain of Useful Inventions
We mainly associate NASA with the development of space shuttles, various probes, and other star-faring vehicles. However, their scientists have also invented many other useful items, many of which we use daily in various forms.
