Because most sports rely heavily on physical capabilities, you might not assume that sports could also drive innovation. In practice, however, athletes who are scientists and inventors off the field have made numerous important contributions to sports and to society.

Engineers and sports enthusiasts aren't the only ones who have been cooking up new technologies. A farmer in southern Illinois, Arthur Ehrat, invented the breakaway basketball rim to stop players from destroying backboards when they dunked the ball. The original rim relied on springs from a John Deere tractor.

Another legendary performance booster: Gatorade. Physician Robert Cade noticed that players on the University of Florida Gators football team consistently performed worse during the second half of each game. Dr. Cade theorized — and later proved — that dehydration, not just fatigue, was the problem. Gatorade, named for the legendary team, was invented to replenish salt and sugar levels and quickly rehydrate the thirsty players.

The crossover of diverse expertise from various fields into sports not only enhances athletic performance, but it also fosters significant innovations that benefit broader societal needs.