While it was cool to see their predictions, and fun to compare what they got right & wrong, it’s easy to overlook the real advances that were made in technology that year.

Here are 4 major advances in technology in 1989that laid the groundwork for what we take for granted today.

In 1989, Marty McFly and Emmet “Doc” Browntraveled to the future date of October 21st, 2015.

Source: Computer History Museum

1) Computer Defeats Human Chess Pro

David Levy is a master chess player who decided to make some cash on the side by betting against Artificial Intelligence (AI) in chess.

After a string of wins since 1968, Levy’s streak ended when he was defeated in 1989 by the ‘Deep Thought’ computer program.

2) Internet Reaches 100,000 Hosts

Today there are over 1 billion people on Facebook alone - but in 1989; 100,000 hosts for a fairly new technology was a big deal. So big in fact, that the rapidly growing community of computer pioneers creating internet-related software eventually lead to the U.S Government throwing $600 Million into researching

various networking initiatives.(AKA – “Information Super-Highway”)

3) Apple Releases the Macintosh Portable

The Macintosh Portable was released in 1989 as Apple’s first true portable computing system. The device weighed a hefty 16 pounds and came with a $6,500 price tag.

Although a critical success, it’s sales were weaker than expected and the line was cancelled less than 2 years after its initial release.

4) Nintendo Releases the Game Boy

The Game Boy proved that compelling software is enough to sell hardware. The popularity of this system was largely driven by the major-released “Tetris” puzzle

game. Over 20 Years, the system would go on to sell over 100 Million units, making it one of the all time, top selling video game systems.

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