More tech inventions you didn’t know came from Uncle Sam

MRI
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Luke Cunningham.

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There’s no denying that Uncle Sam has had a big impact on the world we live in today. Without the government’s involvement, we would be missing some of our most-used items to-date. That includes food, scientific advancements, and more.

Take a look at some of the most common items you never knew were made possible by the U.S. government. 

Barcodes

Barcodes are still placed today on virtually everything you buy – it’s how computers scan items and clock what it is and how much it’s worth. Before they were a mainstay in the retail world, they were brought to life by the National Science Foundation in 1974. It was created as a way to increase “computer vision” and later improved in the 1990s. The original credit goes to engineer George Laurer, who coined UPC or universal product code. 

barcode military and government inventions
Lt. Cmdr. Jasette M. Fong, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly L. Hendricks, both clinical nurse specialists to the Pediatric Inpatient Ward at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), Naval Base San Diego, demonstrate the barcode medication administration system at NMCSD, Feb. 10. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Raphael McCorey)

EpiPen

Made to treat allergic reactions, an epi-pen is a quick-use device that delivers epinephrine directly to the bloodstream. It’s used in times of allergic reactions or potential anaphylaxis. The EpiPen was brought to market in 1983, but not approved by the FDA until 1987. The injection-style treatment was invented as part of survival training in Bethesda, Maryland by Sheldon Kaplan for Survival Technology, Inc., STI. (Kaplan was later inducted into the Inventor’s Hall of Fame for his work.)

The Pentagon approached the STI about quickly delivering a large portion of medicine, specifically for a nerve agent antidote. They stepped in to help with the completion of designing the item, coming up with the ComboPen for the Department of Defense. 

MRIs

As in, magnetic resonance imaging machine that is often used in airports and hospitals alike. It’s a technology that shows what’s inside a person, suitcase, etc. Back in 1946, it was created by the NSF to study atomic nuclei. In years since, it’s been adapted to become an important medical and security tool. 

Lactose-free milk

Back in 1985, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service created a process to remove lactose from dairy products, including milk, yogurt and ice cream. This was done by introducing an enzyme that breaks down the substance, lactose, that many people cannot digest. 

Baby formula

Yes, baby formula was invited by Uncle Sam. That is, fortified formula as we know it today. When NASA scientists were studying various substances that could thrive in space, they found a combination of oxygen and other nutrients that are prevalent in human breast milk. Specifially, with omega-3 fatty acids. That was turned into government-sponsored Formulaid, which is now added to 90% of baby formulas in the United States. 

smartphone military and government inventions
Master-at-Arms Seaman Trevor Miller, assigned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Security Forces, browses the LiveSafe Smartphone Application. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stacy M. Atkins Ricks/ Released)

Smartphones

Maybe the most-used invention to-date, the smartphone is also possible thanks to the involvement of the U.S. government. 

In the early 1990s, while working on mini cameras for spacecraft, NASA developed the image sensors that made smartphones, as well as webcams and digital single-lens reflex cameras, possible today. Then, University of Delaware researchers made touch screens using CIA and NSF funding, ultimately resulting in the refined phone technologies users have today.