Crosby built a small $3 million military supply (jet propulsion fuels) company into a $275 million advanced research and development operation. During his tenure, Thiokol designed sophisticated rocket launch equipment used for the Mercury and Gemini space programs and developed missile components required for operating the Minuteman missile. In the non-military arena, Crosby and Thiokol developed new adhesive sealants that became standard components in the installation of windshields in automobiles.