Were Cordless Tools Really Invented by NASA? | Myth vs Reality Explained

The Myth: Cordless Tools Were Invented for Space Exploration

The story goes something like this: astronauts needed power tools that didn’t require plugs while working in the vacuum of space. So NASA, in its quest for innovation, created the cordless drill. From there, the technology "trickled down" to benefit everyday consumers. It's a classic example of supposed "space spinoff" technology—a popular narrative in which space exploration directly drives commercial innovation on Earth.

But like many myths, this one is only partially grounded in truth.

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Why the Public Believes It

The myth's persistence is understandable. NASA is widely known for its pioneering work in technology and engineering. Over the years, the space agency has in fact contributed to many commercial technologies—memory foam, scratch-resistant lenses, and infrared ear thermometers among them.

Moreover, NASA did partner with tool manufacturers in the 1960s, particularly Black & Decker cordless tools, to develop battery-powered equipment that could operate in space and in zero-gravity environments. These collaborations received a lot of media attention, further reinforcing the idea that such tools were created by or for space missions.

The Reality: Cordless Tools Existed Before Space Missions

Here’s where the myth unravels:

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