BLUF

The moon landings inspired a generation to pursue careers in science, engineering, or astronomy. The program also sparked a paradigm shift - smaller computers outperform larger ones. This concept birthed the fly-by-wire technology prevalent in modern aircraft today.

Summary

KEY POINTS:
  1. The Apollo Guidance Computer was the first computer people staked their lives on.
  2. Miniaturisation ultimately led to affordable personal computers and smartphones.
  3. At one point in the 1960s, Apollo consumed 60% of the US’s integrated circuits, boosting technology.
  4. Hundreds of thousands of people and roughly 20,000 companies and universities contributed to the Apollo programme. 
  5. Recruiting African Americans into the space programme reduced discrimination and improved civil rights.
READ Apollo: How Moon missions changed the modern world

References

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