[Reading Science] The 'Crazy Act' of US Kennedy That Cemented Its Status as a 'Tech Hegemon'

Many 'Spin-off' Cases in Space Development Technology
Microchip Technology Boosted by Apollo Project
US Solidifies Global Technology Dominance

In 1945, the United States emerged victorious in World War II. Naturally, it was assumed to have seized global supremacy. However, when it fell behind the former Soviet Union in space development during the 1950s and 60s, it became determined to catch up. President John F. Kennedy's 1963 Apollo moon landing project is a prime example. At that time, 1.8% of GDP and 10% of the defense budget (approximately 200 trillion won last year) were poured into the effort. People called it 'crazy.' Yet, through advanced microchip technology gained from space development, the U.S. solidified its position as the world's strongest nation, a status it maintains to this day. This was not merely a pride battle against the former Soviet Union during the Cold War but a successful 'investment' that allowed the U.S. to dominate 'technological hegemony.' The U.S. did not learn technology by discovering crashed UFOs or aliens, as rumored in the so-called 'Roswell incident.' Instead, it grew into a global hegemon through focused investment in space technology development.

In this regard, the space-specialized media Space.com introduced the history of space technology commercialization in an article titled 'Top 10 Everyday Household Spin-off Technologies Developed by NASA' on the 29th (local time). From golf balls to game consoles, computers, and motorcycle helmets, many items widely used in our daily lives were actually developed during the U.S. space development process, such as the Apollo moon exploration program. Special materials designed to safely transport spacecraft and astronauts have been applied in everyday life, revolutionizing it and providing useful benefits to humans.

The core is the microprocessor. It is a representative commercial product developed during NASA's space development process. The integrated circuit technology for making microprocessors was first devised in 1958 by electrical engineer Jack Kilby. However, it was NASA's use of it in space development that popularized and mass-produced it. While developing rockets, spacecraft, ground stations, and operation systems for the Apollo program, NASA purchased and consumed over 60% of the integrated circuits produced in the U.S. during the 1960s, fostering and establishing the related industry. At that time, other countries did not even have the concept of microprocessors. NASA utilized microprocessors to create modern computer systems equipped with keyboards and displays, applying them to onboard computers and control between command and lunar modules. This microprocessor has since evolved and is now used in almost every area of daily life, including mobile phones, personal computers, microwave ovens, and calculators.

Water purifiers are another representative example. Primitive water filters had already been developed by the mid-1950s. However, modern water purifiers equipped with charcoal filters began in 1963 when NASA used them in the Apollo program. They were devised to supply astronauts with uncontaminated water for extended periods in extreme environments. Charcoal contains millions of tiny pores between carbon atoms on its surface formed during oxidation, which can filter various contaminants as water passes through?a principle applied here.

Safety helmets were also developed by NASA. In the 1970s, NASA developed a material called Temper foam to absorb shocks that astronauts might experience during flight or missions, which was used in Apollo spacecraft helmets and seats. This material is polyurethane mixed with other chemicals, having high viscosity and density, effectively absorbing shocks and being electrically non-conductive. It is viscoelastic (possessing both liquid and solid properties) and temperature-sensitive, making it easy to process so that it adheres closely to the human body when heated. Commercialized in the 1980s, it was quickly applied to medical equipment such as mattresses and sports gear like American football and bicycle helmets, gaining widespread popularity.

Wireless tools are also NASA's creations. Wireless wrenches that can tighten screws in zero gravity and wireless rotary hammer drills usable for extracting rocks on the lunar surface were transferred to the civilian sector and became wildly popular. Battery technology capable of powering these devices in spacecraft exteriors or on the lunar surface was developed simultaneously and has continued to advance. Cordless vacuum cleaners used at home also originated from NASA research in the 1960s and were commercialized.

Along with these, scratch-resistant lenses were born during space development. NASA extensively used plastic for spacecraft windows and camera lenses because of its excellent ultraviolet absorption and shatter resistance. However, considering the easily scratched surfaces and dusty, debris-filled space environment, developing lens materials and coating technologies with hard surfaces that resist scratches became essential. NASA developed a carbon coating technology with diamond-like hardness. Thin carbon coating films were created and applied to camera lenses and window surfaces, significantly increasing strength and protecting against scratches, dust, and debris. This technology was also widely commercialized in the civilian sector, applied to the famous ultraviolet-blocking 'Ray-Ban' sunglasses.

Smoke detection technology used in household fire detectors was one of several detection technologies devised by NASA in 1973 for the Skylab space station under development at the time. Satellite TV was based on Telstar 1, launched in 1962 by NASA in collaboration with Bell Labs for transatlantic satellite communication experiments. Special shoe insoles with shock absorption and breathability were developed by NASA for Apollo astronauts' lunar landing boots and later transferred to the civilian market. The dimple technology on golf balls (small surface holes to reduce air resistance) was originally devised by NASA to protect the external fuel tanks of the space shuttle. Joysticks used in game consoles were initially developed to control lunar exploration rovers during the Apollo project and later applied to remote-controlled cars, airplanes, and video game consoles, becoming wildly popular.