Jim wrote:
I don't recall one public service message, or commercial about NASA's
contribution to our lifestyle. We know, of course, about Velcro. But what
about all the other things.

I still feel that the NASA-TV special that was aired not long after the
Columbia accident which showed , from many angles, the Mission control room
"as it happened" should have been nominated for the academy awards. Parts
of this inredible documentation of real humans keeping their
professionalism in the face of disaster should have been shown as an
example of how NASA is documenting so many aspects of the USA's space
programme.

For all the criticisms of NASA-TV and PAO people may have, it is still
diligently documenting the USA space programme. Even though it may not have
a popular outlet, even though it may not have producers/directors/editors
who package this into blockbuster movies, it is still a HUGE contribution
to USA history. And for that it deserves a special academy award.

I still remember Leroy Cain's voice when he orders the doors closed,
computer recordings sealed etc. This wasn't an actor with a director asking
for 27 takes, this was real life with a real life very difficult decision
for a human. And that is worth far more than some Hollywood recreation. And
I bet NASA has many such gems in its archives, showing humans at their best.