Tech & Science · 1987
Supernovas, Superconductors, and the Dawn of Modern Computing
In 1987, science peered into deep space and molecular frontiers while personal computing leaped into high-resolution color and interconnected software. From revolutionary medical approvals to powerful new rockets, the year reshaped technology for decades to come.
- February 23, 1987 | Astronomy
Supernova 1987A
Astronomers detected the light from an exploding blue supergiant star in the Large Magellanic Cloud, providing the closest observed supernova since 1604.
- February 1987 | Physics
YBCO High-Temperature Superconductor
Physicists discovered yttrium barium copper oxide, achieving superconductivity above the liquid nitrogen boiling point and triggering the famed Woodstock of Physics.
- March 19, 1987 | Medicine
AZT FDA Approval for HIV Treatment
The U.S. FDA granted approval for AZT as the first commercial antiretroviral treatment designed to slow the progression of HIV/AIDS.
- April 2, 1987 | Computing Hardware
IBM Personal System/2 & VGA Standard
IBM introduced the PS/2 lineup, debuting 3.5-inch floppy drives, the PS/2 port standard, and 256-color Video Graphics Array (VGA) graphics.
- May 15, 1987 | Spaceflight
First Flight of the Soviet Energia Rocket
The Soviet Union successfully launched Energia, a massive super-heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to carry heavy payloads and the Buran spaceplane into orbit.
- August 11, 1987 | Software
Apple HyperCard Release
Bill Atkinson created HyperCard for the Macintosh, introducing millions to a hypermedia software system that directly inspired the architecture of the World Wide Web.
- December 18, 1987 | Software
Perl Programming Language Created
Larry Wall released Perl 1.0 as a Unix scripting language designed for easy text processing, which became a foundational tool for early web development.
- 1987 | Rapid Prototyping
3D Systems SLA-1 Commercial 3D Printer
Chuck Hull's company 3D Systems introduced the SLA-1, bringing stereolithography to market and launching the modern commercial 3D printing industry.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?