EPISODE · Apr 20, 2026 · 19 MIN
The Ghost in the Machine That Killed People
from Code Curiosities · host Podcaster
In the 1980s, a radiation therapy machine called the Therac-25 was supposed to save lives by precisely targeting cancer cells. Instead, a software bug turned it into a killer, delivering lethal doses of radiation to at least six patients. This is the chilling story of how a missing line of code became one of the deadliest software bugs in history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In the 1980s, a radiation therapy machine called the Therac-25 was supposed to save lives by precisely targeting cancer cells. Instead, a software bug turned it into a killer, delivering lethal doses of radiation to at least six patients. This is the chilling story of how a missing line of code became one of the deadliest software bugs in history.
NOW PLAYING
The Ghost in the Machine That Killed People
No transcript for this episode yet