1980s in science and technology
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This page contains the scientific and technological developments of the 1980s.
Science and technology articles by decades and years |
Decades |
1970s - 1980s - 1990s - 2000s - 2010s |
Years: |
1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 |
This article is a summary of the 1980s in science and technology.
Astronomy
- The Rings of Neptune were first discovered in 1984. The Voyager 2 spacecraft provided images of them in 1989.
- 4769 Castalia was discovered in 1989. It became the first asteroid to be viewed through radar imaging.
Genetic engineering and biology
- 1983 - Kary Mullis revolutionized molecular biology with his invention of the polymerase chain reaction, which required only a test tube, some reagents, a DNA template, and a source of heat.
- April 1986 - The first child produced from a gestational surrogacy is born. This is the first time in history that a child has been born to somebody who is not their biological mother.
- 1989
- May 22, 1989 - The first gene transfer experiment in humans takes place, leading to full-fledged gene therapy trials by September 1990.
- The gene responsible for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator was discovered. Mutations of the gene are considered causes of cystic fibrosis.
- The kakapo, a bird species of New Zealand, was termed a threatened species. The Department of Conservation started an endangered species recovery plan for the kakapo in 1989.
- 1989, the K-T extinction event, when dinosaurs went extinct, was shown to be linked to excess irridium in the boundary layer, which implied that the cause was a massive meteor strike.
Computer science
- Computer "virus" terminology introduced by Fred Cohen in 1983.[1]
- Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software launched in 1983.[2]
- Robert Tappan Morris created the Morris worm, considered the first notable computer worm to be distributed via the Internet. The worm was launched on November 2, 1988 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and caused considerable damage. In 1989, its creator became the first person indicted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
- Adobe Photoshop graphics editing software created in 1988.[3]
- Lotus Notes software launched in 1989.[3]
See also
- History of science and technology
- List of science and technology articles by continent
- List of years in science
References
- ^ Allen Kent and James G. Williams, ed. (1993). Encyclopedia of Microcomputers. New York: Marcel Dekker. ISBN 978-0-8247-2709-3.
- ^ Christopher Null (April 2007), "50 Best Tech Products of All Time", PC World, USA
- ^ a b Matthew Kirschenbaum (July 2013), "10 Most Influential Software Programs Ever", Slate, USA