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Physics & Quantum · Recorded milestone

Gravitational waves detected

Recorded year2015

LIGO's laser interferometers hear two black holes merge.

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Built on

General relativityRecorded · 1915enables
Stored-program computerRecorded · 1948requires
LaserRecorded · 1960enables
MicroprocessorRecorded · 1971requires

Led to

Sources & evidence

Additional source

Dataset updated 2026-10-18. This individual record has not been separately re-reviewed.