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Barbara Askins is credited with the invention of a new and better method of developing films. She was a teacher when she started her career. After completing her education, she went to work for NASA where she was given the task of inventing a way to improve astronomical photos taken from space. Her invention engrossed the use of radioactive materials to enhance negatives which could also be used to enlarge images even after developing the pictures. Her method of developing films was applied by NASA with grand success. Her invention was so attractive that it was accepted outside of the agency for a variety of other uses also, such as improving the clarity of x-rays and reinstating old photographs. She was honoured as the National Inventor of the Year in 1978 for her invention of a new way of developing films.