History Memes

I started just to point out that the 7 point drop was big in 1988, but then wondered if this was a real event. (When the movie came out, I remember thinking that really happened.)

Looking at it again, I don't know if I am finding real information , or movie publicity

https://www.cyberdelianyc.com/www.nytimes.com/1988/08/10/business/wall-street-plunges-computer-crash-hackers.html, which in part says:

Delaying the sell-off slightly the mayhem appeared to stem from a computer virus rendering key exchange systems inaccessible with NYSE registering a 7-point drop. Initial reports put the number of systems impacted at 1,507. This would make the havoc one of the biggest computer crashes in history.

A ''hacker'' believed to have instigated the turmoil from beyond state-lines in Seattle is a prime suspect. Known only by an alias or ''handle'' on computer bulletin boards as ''Zero Cool'', Federal prosecutors hope to have them arraigned quickly sending a message to other potential electronic trespassers.

Looking up "Zero Cool", only locates a 1960's book about a Doctor.