Key Moments in Cyberpunk History
A timeline examining some of the key novels and films that can be classified under the genre known as "Cyberpunk"
1968-01-01 00:00:00
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep?
Written by Phillip K. Dick and published in 1968, this novel is considered one of the precursor novels in the cyberpunk genre. Blade Runner is loosely based off this novel
1982-01-01 00:00:00
Burning Chrome
Written by William Gibson and published in 1982, Burning Chrome is a short story. The term 'cyberspace' was first coined by Gibson in this story.
1982-01-01 11:17:43
Blade Runner
Considered the first cyberpunk film ever and based loosely on 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?', this film encompasses all that is cyberpunk
1983-01-01 00:00:00
Cyberpunk
Written by Bruce Bethke and published as a short story in Amazing Science Fiction Stories in 1983. The term 'cyberpunk' was used for the first time in this story.
1984-01-01 00:00:00
Neuromancer
Written by William Gibson and published in 1984, Neuromancer is the first book in the Sprawl Trilogy, considered by some as the pinnacle of cyberpunk. This series has all the hallmarks of the cyberpunk genre
1986-01-01 00:00:00
When Gravity Falls
Written by George Alec Effinger and published in 1986 th novel was nominated for two awards in 1987 and 1988.
1986-01-01 00:00:00
Hardwired
Written by Walter Jon Williams and published in 1986, this novel is reminiscent of William Gibson's early work.
1986-01-01 00:00:00
Count Zero
Written by William Gibson and published in 1984, this novel is the second in the Sprawl trilogy.
1986-04-19 16:59:00
Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology
Edited by Bruce Sterling and published in 1986, this short story anthology is an excellent example of the early cyberpunk genre
1987-01-01 11:17:43
RoboCop
One of the early cyberpunk films, and recently rebooted, this film looks at cyborg technology.
1988-01-01 00:00:00
Mona Lisa Overdrive
Written by William Gibson and published in 1988, Mona Lisa Overdrive is the final novel in the Sprawl trilogy.
1992-01-01 00:00:00
Snow Crash
Written by Neal Stephenson and published in 1992, this novel is considered the beginning of a different kind of cyberpunk
1994-01-01 00:00:00
The Deus Machine
Written by Pierre Ouellette in 1994, this novel focuses heavily on the concept of biotechnology. It is set only ten years in the future from when it was written
1995-01-01 00:00:00
The Diamond Age
Written by Neal Stephenson and published in 1995. This is interestingly set in Shanghai and has a female protagonist.
1995-01-01 11:17:43
Judge Dredd
Another early cyberpunk film and also recently rebooted.
1995-01-01 11:17:43
Johnny Mnemonic
Based on a William Gibson story, this film was not rated highly but still represents an influential cyberpunk film.
1997-01-01 11:17:43
Nirvana
Another film released in the 1990s, Nirvana looks more at the gaming and virtual reality side of cyberpunk
1999-01-01 11:17:43
The Matrix
Lauded for it's creative filming techniques and excellent narrative, The Matrix is an excellent example of the more dystopian style cyber punk films
2002-01-01 11:17:43
Equilibrium
One of the few more recent films that can be properly recognized as cyberpunk.
2011-01-01 00:00:00
Ready Player One
Written by Ernest Cline and published in 2011, this is one of the more recent novels that can be classified as cyberpunk.