THE SOFTWARE HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Therac-25 Accidents, 1987

Therac-25 is a medical linear accelerator that produces X-radiation and electron beam which was used to treat tumors caused by various cancers. During 1982, there were 11 Therac-25s installed in the US and Canada. Between 1985 and 1987, six accidents of massive overdoses were reported. Of the six accidents, four resulted in death and the other two resulted in disfigurement and disability.


Several Sources:

courses.cs.vt.edu/~cs3604/lib/Therac_25/Therac_1.html
salfter.dyndns.org/cs301.html
www.cs.washington.edu/research/projects/safety/www/papers/therac.ps
www.byte.com/art/9512/sec6/art1.htm