Therac-25 Software Bug Deaths

A critical software defect in the Therac-25 radiation therapy machine led to tragedy during the 1980s. The system suffered from a flaw that caused it to deliver excessive doses of radiation to patients. This malfunction was directly responsible for at least five patient deaths, highlighting severe risks associated with computer-controlled medical equipment.

For an ordinary reader, this historical failure is both alarming and surprising because it demonstrates how invisible coding errors can have fatal consequences in real-world applications. The incident remains a foundational case study in computer science and medical safety, emphasizing the critical importance of rigorous software testing, quality assurance, and system reliability when human lives depend on digital technology operating correctly.