[Lil' Lavery]

Building off of the "modern era" debates, here's an incomplete timeline of significant changes from year to year. This is purely off of memory, so I apologize for mistakes or missed events. Feel free to edit/add whatever events.


1999 - Alliances (2v2) introduced
2000 - Optional bumpers
2001 - 4v0 alliances
2002 - Return to 2v2 alliances
2003 - Introduction of autonomous
2004 - "Powerful" CPU with programming in C instead of BASIC
2005 - 3v3 alliances, fixed elimination alliance (no more rotating in a partner), no more drill motor in kit of parts, switch from 130lb (with battery) to 120lb (no battery) weight limit, introduction of kitbot, introduction of vision targets
2006 - Current bumper design introduced (still optional), wedges disallowed, introduction of serpentine alliance selection
2007 - Different height/weight classes (4ft/120lb, 5ft/110lb, 6ft/100lb)
2008 - Mandatory bumpers, return to 5ft/120lb
2009 - FiM district system, switch from IFI controller to cRIO
2012 - MAR district system

In my mind, it's pretty clear that 2005 was a watershed year for FIRST in many ways. There was a bigger shift from 2004 to 2005 than any recent switchover in games.