December 12, 2025
Quantum technology has changed more in the past thirty years than in the hundred years before it. What began as theory in the mid-1990s has become a set of practical tools that secure networks, guide sensors, and run early applications in computation. Our newest white paper, Thirty Years of Quantum Technology, traces this story from 1995 to today, pulling together progress across computing, communication, and sensing.
For South Carolina, this historical view matters. It shows how far the field has come, how quickly it is evolving, and how important it is for more people to understand the technology taking shape around them.
The paper highlights several themes worth paying attention to.
Progress is steady and collective
Quantum computing moved from possibility to practice through work across universities, companies, and national labs. Early breakthroughs in the 1990s proved that quantum algorithms could outperform classical systems for specific tasks. Hardware diversification in the 2000s and broader access in the 2010s created the platforms researchers use today. The 2020s have focused on stability, scalability, and early signs of fault tolerance.
None of this came from a single institution. The progress reflects thousands of people pushing the field forward.
Communication and sensing advanced in parallel
While quantum computers received much of the public attention, other areas made quiet but important leaps. Communication systems moved from lab tests to multi-city networks and satellite-enabled links across continents. These advances helped shape what researchers now call the early foundation of a quantum internet.
Quantum sensing made similar strides. Tools based on atomic interferometry, NV centers, optical lattice clocks, and advanced magnetometry became more precise and more portable over time. Some of these devices are now being tested in environmental monitoring, navigation, and infrastructure applications.
These developments show that quantum is not one technology. It is a family of tools that solve different types of problems.
The next chapter depends on people
One of the clearest takeaways is how important people have been to quantum’s growth. Every step forward required researchers, educators, engineers, students, and early adopters who were willing to learn something unfamiliar.
That lesson shapes how we think about South Carolina’s quantum future. The state will not grow its capability through hardware alone. It will come from educators who teach foundational concepts, industry teams who explore pilot projects, and students who learn to apply these technologies in practical settings.
As the paper notes, quantum literacy will be a unifying priority for the years ahead.
A chance to participate
The UN’s designation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology underscores the global interest in this field and the importance of broad participation. The initiative encourages communities, institutions, and individuals to take part, which aligns with our mission at SC Quantum.
We want more people in South Carolina to understand this field, ask questions, explore ideas, and see where they can contribute. The white paper is one way to support that learning.
Why this matters now
Quantum technology is no longer a distant possibility. It is influencing research, shaping early commercial tools, and building the foundation for technologies that could touch nearly every sector. South Carolina has the opportunity to prepare for this future by investing in awareness, education, and workforce development.
Understanding how the last thirty years unfolded helps us see where things are going and how the state can position itself for what comes next.
Read the full white paper to explore the journey: Thirty Years of Quantum Technology: The Growth of Computing, Communication, and Sensing (1995 to 2025)
Dave Alsobrooks
Director of Communications, SC Quantum
dalsobrooks@scquantum.org