You guys were wrong,

Velcro wasn't created because of the space program. It was invented because some smart engineer discovered it while walking on this earth.

http://www.publib.edmonton.ab.ca/infofile/detail.cfm?subject_detail=Velcro

"Velcro:

Velcro, whose discovery dates back to 1948, was invented by the Swiss engineer, Georges de Mestral. Mestral after returning from a hunting trip examined the thistle blossoms clinging to his clothing. He then came up with the idea to mimic the thistle blossoms by crating similar hooks on fabric strips which would cling together and work as fasteners. The invention was named Velcro - Vel for velvet and cro for the French crochet or "small hook". It was patented worldwide in 1957."

-- (St@r.gazer), March 09, 2001

Answers

Well I will proudly eat crow and yell from the roof tops that I am a complete maroon.

-- Jimmy G (the@gambing.man), March 09, 2001.

I never said Velcro came from the space program, did I? I saw a little sketch on TV once about the guy who "discovered" it; I know where it came from. :)

Not that much completely new technology came from NASA; the benefits of the 60's and 70's space programs were vastly improved (then-present) technology, better manufacturing techniques, better computers (and computer programs), better methods of managing huge and complex projects, better quality control and so on.

And my assertion was nonetheless correct: the space program paid for itself many times over. It wasn't just money thrown into the aether like most government boondoggles.

The idea that the space program was a huge drain on the national budget with no demonstrable benefit is perpetuated by people opposed to space exploration for personal and political reasons.

It's one of those things that "sounds" right, but happens to be wrong.

-- Stephen M. Poole (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), March 10, 2001.