Scientific American Inventions from Outer Space presents over 60 inventions developed by NASA for use in space - and the ways they are used every day on Earth. There's a little bit of outer space everywhere on Earth, from the paint on the Golden Gate Bridge (originally developed by NASA to withstand high temperatures on the space shuttle launch pad) to today's high-tech sneakers (which use technology first developed for space suits) and keyboards used by disabled workers. These items, plus Dustbuster vacuums, CAT scans, and home water filters, are only some of the world's most familiar consumer products that trace their origins to NASA's space program. This fascinating book describes over 60 inventions and, in color photographs and diagrams, outlines how the space technology was developed and how it is used here on Earth. Full-color illustrations and clear writing offers complete explanations of how inventions are used in everyday objects. Strong "Scientific American imprimatur assures quality and appeals to science buffs of all levels.

A unique A-to-Z reference of brilliance in innovation and invention Combining engagingly written, well-researched history with the respected imprimatur of Scientific American magazine, this authoritative, accessible reference provides a wide-ranging overview of the inventions, technological advances, and discoveries that have transformed human society throughout our history. More than 400 entertaining entries explain the details and significance of such varied breakthroughs as the development of agriculture, the "invention" of algebra, and the birth of the computer. Special chronological sections divide the entries, providing a unique focus on the intersection of science and technology from early human history to the present. In addition, each section is supplemented by primary source sidebars, which feature excerpts from scientists' diaries, contemporary accounts of new inventions, and various "In Their Own Words" sources. Comprehensive and thoroughly readable, Scientific American Inventions and Discoveries is an indispensable resource for anyone fascinated by the history of science and technology. Topics include: aerosol spray * algebra * Archimedes' Principle * barbed wire * canned food * carburetor * circulation of blood * condom * encryption machine * fork * fuel cell * latitude * music synthesizer * positron * radar * steel * television * traffic lights * Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

Based on the research carried out under NASA's Technology Transfer programme, this work presents the spin-off products and processes in the areas of health and medicine, consumer goods, energy, environment and resources management, computer technology, construction and manufacturing technology.

"The science-fiction genre known as steampunk juxtaposes futuristic technologies with Victorian settings. This fantasy is becoming reality at the intersection of two scientific fields-twenty-first-century quantum physics and nineteenth-century thermodynamics, or the study of energy-in a discipline known as quantum steampunk"--

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN's The Big Idea: 150 Years of the Best and Worst Ideas in Modern Science goes beyond the headlines to present the passions, prejudice, and outrage that, from 1845 on, formed the ideas of modern science -- from the sublime to the ridiculous. This fascinating new book, based on SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN's wildly popular feature, "50, 100, and 150 Years Ago in Science Today", presents the often hilarious human aspect of science as well as a serious timetable of scientific discovery. Progress in science is rarely a straight line. While the events are arranged in chronological order, the chapters reflect the somewhat twisted path scientists take in developing their theories, conducting their experiments, presenting their findings, and getting acceptance for their ideas. The chapters in THE BIG IDEA include: Eureka! Great Discoveries & Inventions, which details achievements from insulin to the Talkies and more, often as first reported in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. From the Editor's Desk, which contains insightful and occasionally provocative commentary and news articles about subjects that have shaped our modern world. Great Debates reveals that not every invention or discovery was greeted with universal acclaim and acceptance -- and which big ideas were subject to derison when first advanced. It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time...contains reports on ideas and inventions that, quickly or ultimately, failed the test of time. Bizarro reveals the truly unusual lengths scientists go to prove their theories, no matter how outlandish.

The story of the men and women who drove the Voyager spacecraft mission— told by a scientist who was there from the beginning. --Publisher

Winner of the 2018 AIP Science Communication Award in Science Writing (Books) Richly illustrated and meticulously researched, American Eclipse ultimately depicts a young nation that looked to the skies to reveal its towering ambition and expose its latent genius.