David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 12-165
"WHAT IS NASA, ALEX?" NEW TREBEK VIDEO PROMOTES NASA IN YOUR LIFE
WASHINGTON -- The king of quiz shows, Alex Trebek, is helping answer
the question, "How does NASA affect our daily lives?" The host of the
long-running syndicated program "Jeopardy" is featured in a new
public service announcement released Wednesday.
In the video, Trebek points out that much of the technologies we rely
on in our daily lives come from those developed by NASA for space
exploration. The video will air on NASA Television and the agency's
website.
The new video was announced by NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck
during a NASA-Cleveland "Adopt a City" manufacturing initiative event
in Cleveland.
"It's an honor to add Alex Trebek to our list of space technology
spinoff supporters. As NASA partners today with small manufacturers
in Ohio to solve tough technical problems with their products,
there's potential for NASA technology to help improve everything from
better household fans to stronger ceramics for dentistry," said Peck.
"NASA technologies work for us here on Earth, solving everyday
problems -- saving lives, creating jobs and making our lives better."
At the event, NASA, the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the
Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) also announced nine
small and medium-sized Ohio manufacturers that will receive NASA
assistance to solve technical problems with new or existing products.
NASA is committed to providing 400 hours of technical assistance from
its science and engineering work force to offer potential solutions
to the selected companies for specific technical challenges they are
facing with a new or existing product. In addition to access to NASA
experts, the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are making
$450,000 in low interest rate loans available to the companies to
help with costs associated with participation in the program.
This initiative is part of the White House's Office of Science and
Technology Policy "Strong Cities, Strong Communities" effort with
this partnership developed as a local "Adopt a City" program.
With the new video, Trebek joins the ranks of celebrities such as
musicians Will.i.am and Norah Jones, and comedian Stephen Colbert who
have recently partnered with the agency to tell audiences how
NASA-related technology, or spinoffs, benefit life today on Earth.
To view the Trebek video and other public service announcements,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/psa For hundreds of examples of NASA spinoff technologies and innovations
adapted for use in our everyday lives, visit:
http://spinoff.nasa.gov For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov 
