Way to miss the point. Yes, it is known that the "NASA space pen" was not really funded by NASA, but but its development still took millions of dollars in R&D.
> Is there a single developed economy that doesn't make significant use of trucks and cars?
For the 127th time: car dependency is not the same as car usage.
> its development still took millions of dollars in R&D
$1mm at the time, $10mm today. They sold for the equivalent of $30 each in today's money and saved manned spaceflight from having to deal with graphite shards in the air and electrical.
> car dependency is not the same as car usage
"If the richest country in the world" got "rid of its car dependency," we'd still want safer cars.
With the technology controlled by a handful of corporations? At an development cost that will force them to create any and every opportunity to seek rent on your mobility?
> Is there a single developed economy that doesn't make significant use of trucks and cars?
For the 127th time: car dependency is not the same as car usage.