I have to admit it – I’m a sucker for new inventions and amazing technology. While traveling out of town to attend a trade show in Vegas, I happened to drive past the large NASA technology center here in northeast Ohio, home to some of the world’s largest and most capable space simulation test facilities where ground tests are conducted for the U.S. and international space and aeronautics communities. A set of giant buildings, filled with engineers and scientists, developing breakthrough technologies that will someday be used in aeronautics … with some of them making their way into my home. (think TANG). Since we’re all about solving your PIA (pain in the @%$) Jobs, we kinda think of ourselves as pioneers in thermal processing technologies (I’d love to take credit for inventing ice cubes and blue tip matches, but someone beat me to it!!). Think about it – something as simple as Velcro (now part of my running jacket and sneakers) was first used for space exploration. I decided to do a search on products that were first made for space and air travel and then adopted for consumer use. Here’s a list of NASA-originated technologies that have transitioned into everyday consumer products, with a brief history and explanation of some hurdles each had to overcome. Thanks to Google for the insights. Enjoy!

Read more