It started with a cat: How 100 years of quantum weirdness powers today's tech

Quantum mechanics, once a baffling theoretical framework, now underpins modern technology after a century of development from abstract physics to practical applications. Key breakthroughs like Schrödinger’s cat paradox and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle laid the foundation for today’s quantum technologies, transforming theoretical weirdness into engineering tools. Lasers, transistors, and MRI machines—all rely on quantum principles, proving how once-esoteric science now drives everyday devices and medical advancements. Quantum computing and cryptography are the latest frontiers, leveraging superposition and entanglement to solve problems classical systems can’t, from drug discovery to unbreakable encryption. As quantum research accelerates, its 100-year evolution highlights how fundamental science reshapes industries, with future impacts expected in AI, energy, and beyond.