OVER THE MOON

Only a space cadet would overlook the fact that man's first trip to the moon launched a wave of pop trends on Earth. Here are nine ways the landing changed mankind:

Moon boots: The Italian-born footwear that kept many a Midwesterner from sinking into the snow, but also made them bully bait. Antihero from "Napoleon Dynamite" helped make them hip again.

Michael Jackson's moonwalk: The backwards glide had little resemblance to the astronauts' bounce steps, but what better title to describe the Gloved One's out-of-this-world trademark?

MTV: The music-video channel used the iconic image of an astronaut planting a flag on the moon as its signature logo, although diehard patriots questioned why there were no Stars and Stripes blowing in the wind.

Space Food Sticks: Pillsbury jumped on the shuttle in the early 1970s with these "health rods," which came in flavors that included peanut butter and chocolate. Olympic gold swimmer Ian Thorpe swears by them.

Buzz Lightyear: The bravehearted space traveler, an obvious tip of the helmet to Buzz Aldrin, helped make "Toy Story" a billion-dollar franchise. To infinity and beyond!

Space-aged music: How do pop artists love the moon? Let us count the ways. R.E.M.'s "Man on the Moon," The Police's "Walking on the Moon," John Stewart's "Armstrong" and the Dream's "Walking on the Moon" all owe a salute.

Air Max 1 sneakers: Nike celebrates the 40th anniversary with a new black-and-silver set that makes even Air Jordan look like a mere mortal.

Gatorade Tiger: The sports drink goes for universal appeal with a commercial that suggests Tiger Woods was the real first spaceman, knocking a golf ball into the ether.

"Capricorn One": Those who believe the moon landing was a mighty hoax got its greatest support from this 1978 film in which O.J. Simpson participates in a fake trip to Mars. O.J. and dishonesty? Nahhhhhh.

NEAL JUSTIN