Everyone knows that materials and devices created for the space race have found their way into everyday life–things like memory foam, freeze-dried food and “space” blankets (not, contrary to urban mythology, Tang, Velcro or Teflon). But what many don’t know is that NASA’s mission actually includes a mandate to share its developments with mankind and its markets. This mandate has been an unprecedented boon for countless industries since at least the 1960’s.
Many of the inventions are of very specialized interest, others have almost universal application. The online Spinoff Database allows public searches for abstracts or articles on spinoff technology in the following categories:
- Environmental and Resource Management
- Health and Medicine
- Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology
- Computer technology
- Consumer/Home/Recreation
- Public Safety
- Transportation
NASA Spinoff 2007 cover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The database also permits searches within specific issue years, the NASA Center from which the innovation sprang, as well as specific manufacturers or the by State listing spinoffs utilized by companies in any of the 50 States.
The site includes an informative FAQ, contact information to request a free copy of this year’s Spinoff publication, and links to NASA Spinoff on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Google+.
J. C. Conway 
And still people are doubting the usefulness of space exploration.