Modernizes Moon Boots and Sells Them as Sneakers

When Neil Armstrong walked the moon on July 20, 1969, the footprint of his boot symbolized an enormous historical feat—and, at least as GE (GE) sees it, marked a crowning achievement in the history of materials.

The boots worn by Armstrong and his fellow astronauts were made from GE silicon rubber designed for extreme weather and conditions.

The company’s scientists also developed the industrial-strength plastic in the visors of the space helmets. NASA may no longer fly its own missions, but that hasn’t stopped GE from reinventing the moon boot for the 21st century—this time as a sneaker made from “super materials” typically used in jet engines and wind turbines.