Technology

** The National Aeronautical Space Administration developed several new technologies to aid the astronauts for the moon landing and in turn improved the lives of Americans. **
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The computer was a new and upcoming technology that was designed for the Apollo 11 spacecraft. The computer microchip was descended from the integrated circuits that are used in the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC). (Otto). Since the computer worked efficiently, it inspired others to make further advancments to the AGC. The purpose of this computer was to communicate with the space station in a way that was unheard of before. Amazing for its time, the AGC could multi-task by doing eight jobs at one time (Parker). This computer was successful in monitoring and leading Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and “Buzz” Aldrin to the moon (Parker). Many years gigabytes and years later, th is original computer guided the way computers are made today. The AGC made the idea of owning a personal computer into something obtainable. The systems involved were not nearly as complicated as the present. Yet, with the memory increased, the multi-tasking improved, and the integrated circuits updated, this computer that once only aided astronauts is available to most people today.

Another new technology that improved the lives of Americans was the memory foam. Since the lift off and landing were known to be turbulent, there was a need for some type of material in the astronauts' seats that would conform to the pressure being exerted on it. Memory foam distributes the pressure over the whole surface which was important because it decreased the amount of G forces on the astronauts' bodies. The item invented was used in the aircraft seats so that the people inside could have a smoother landing (Otto). This material is flexible and returns to the form that it is made to look like. It affects society today because it, “returns to its original shape and is now used in mattresses and shock-absorbing material used in helmets,” (Przybys). The invention has improved the sleeping habits of people and has saved lives because helmets protect the heads of those who wear them. The memory foam made was positively influencing the American society because the material could be used in a variety of ways to provide support.

As more new technologies were becoming available, one that revolutionized food industries was freeze-dried food. The idea that food could be stored more effectively by removing the water content allowed NASA to pack more food on the spacecraft and still have less mass than regular food. The idea of freeze-drying increased the shelf life of the necessary food groups without sacrificing the nutritional value (Otto). This aided the astronauts because they were able to get to proper vitamins that are needed to stay healthy. In the 1970's, this new invention of freeze-dried food became popular because food was now able to be packaged more efficiently. Another new technology that became popular was the water filter. NASA had, “pioneered to kill bacteria in water taken into space” (Otto). This improved the lives of Americans because they started getting more pure water with limited contaminants. By going on the trip to the moon, the astronauts were guaranteed filtered water so that they would not get sick. The domino effect ensued because after this moon landing, Americans became more interested in clean water.

The National Aeronautical Space Administration created scratch-resistant glasses to aid the astronauts so that they can have a clear view of what it straight ahead of them. Before scratch-resistant glasses were made, it was possible to get many marks and dents in the glasses. After the invention of these specialized glasses though, the astronaut helmet visor coating was ten times more resistant to lacerations. (Otto). Because there is a lot of unexpected movement while in a spacecraft, these were beneficial to the space goers. This invention also was made available to the American public which allowed those with glasses to appreciate scratch-resistant lenses. All these new technologies aided both the space agencies and the American society by increasing the quality of life.

When marked with a bar code, it is a complex system of identifying and was useful in the space age (Manson 40). ||
 * Space pen || [|The space pen was made to be able to write upsidedown] ||
 * In-the-ear Thermometer || [[image:http://www.weiyingte.com/Upload/200891795714probigpic.jpg width="180" height="136" caption="These were used to find the temperature of a patient quickly"]] ||
 * Joy-stick video game controllers || [[image:http://i00.twenga.com/video-gaming/joystick/saitek-cyborg-evo-wireless-p_82472vb.png width="203" height="203" caption="Joy-sticks became useful when steering the aircraft"]] ||
 * golf balls || [|The golf ball is known to be shaped like the moon.] ||
 * bar codes || [[image:http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/barcode.png width="141" height="81"]]