Hope you enjoy your fireworks, parties, barbecues and general fun in the sun this week as we observe Independence Day here in the states.
We have a fun "Redneck Roundup" barbecue on Wednesday, and a big day at the races on Friday when two of our horses will run. (Go, Zinger and Super!)
But this week also marks the beginning of something special this month -- the anniversary of the first Moon landing.
Pretty hard to believe that July 20th will mark half a century since we, as a species, first set foot on the Moon.
That mission went down in history as we accomplished what few believed we could--put human beings on the surface of another world and then successfully brought them home.
In case you've forgotten the speech and the spirit that got us to the Moon, take a couple of minutes to watch this video of President John F. Kennedy's historic words that set the engines in motion and kept them firing even after his tragic death.
Here's a list of just 12 things that were a by-product of the Apollo program:
1. CAT scanners
First used to find imperfections in space components and now used to detect cancers.
2. Computer microchips
The technology evolved from integrated circuits used in the Apollo Guidance Computer.
3. Cordless tools
Power drills and vacuum cleaners were developed from technology to drill for moon samples.
4. Ear thermometers
The lens that detects infrared energy as heat was originally used to monitor the birth of stars.
5. Freeze-dried food
Reduces food weight and increases shelf life without sacrificing nutritional value.
6. Insulation
Home insulation now uses reflective material that was used to protect spacecraft from radiation.
7. Invisible braces
Transparent teeth-straighteners were developed from spacecraft materials.
8. Memory foam
Created for seats to soften landings, this foam is now found in mattresses, shock absorbing helmets.
9. Satellite television
Technology used to fix errors in spacecraft signals now helps reduce scrambled pictures and sound in satellite television signals.
10. Scratch resistant lenses
Astronaut helmet visor coating now makes our eyeglasses ten times more scratch resistant.
11. Smoke detectors
NASA invented the first adjustable smoke detector with sensitivity levels to prevent false alarms.
12. Water filters
Domestic versions borrow a technique NASA pioneered to kill bacteria in water taken into space.
So it's a sobering thought that it's also been nearly five decades since our last crewed mission to the Moon -- Apollo 17. We haven't returned since December 14, 1972.
Upon winning the space race, we didn't build on our experience and the expanded knowledge we gained from visiting another world, we totally abandoned it. We are a fickle species, indeed.
Hopefully we'll start making up for lost time in the very near future.
Have a great holiday week!
The moon landing is one of those moments our generation can always remember "where we were" when it happened. I was in a college dorm at a summer journalism workshop (still in high school), gathered around the TV in the lobby with a lot of other kids I didn't know, all of us awestruck as Armstrong set foot on the moon. I'm still in awe of that accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the state of technology at the time, and looking back from our perspective five decades later, it seems like a miracle that they pulled it off. And yes, I remember it well. Home for summer vacation, sitting on the living room floor in front of the television and completely awestruck. I remember my good friend later showing me Poloroid photos that her mom had snapped of the TV screen at the moment Armstrong stepped off and thinking, "I should have done that!"
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