RIP Stanislav Petrov - The Man Who Literally Saved The World

September 20, 2017

In 1983, Stanislav Petrov's computer detected nuclear launches from the United States. Petrov considered the situation carefully, did not recall hearing any new arguments between the two super powers, and deduced that the computer was probably wrong and there were no nuclear missiles inbound. He promptly refused to respond with Soviet launches.

And he guessed correctly. The computer had had a glitch.

Petrov passed away this year at the age of 77. May you rest in peace. You didn't just save your own country, you saved the whole world.

Watch the video below where Petrov talks about the incident.