10 Inventions We Can Thank NASA For

When we think of NASA often the first thing that springs to mind is the exploration of new planets and moons, not objects that we use here on Earth everyday. However, because NASA has always been at the forefront of innovation, it has been able to develop new and vital technologies that have an impact on us here on our own planet too. You might not realise it but we have NASA to thank for some of life’s essentials – next time you use one of them, remember you are more closely linked to astronauts than you thought.

Adjustable Smoke Detector

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Although NASA didn't invent the original smoke detector, it did produce one with an adjustable sensitivity setting as part of the Skylab project. It was Honeywell who made this commercially available, aimed at saving consumers the annoyance of having the alarm going off while cooking.