Final answer:
The detection of the first GRB by human technology was in 1967, and a significant advance in understanding GRBs occurred in 1997 with the BeppoSAX observations. The particularly bright GRB 080319B in March 2008 demonstrated the incredible luminosity and distant origins of these events, being visible from 8 billion light-years away.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discovery of the first Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) has been a monumental event in astronomy. While GRBs are cosmic events that have been occurring since the universe's early days, the first detection by humans happened in 1967 by military satellites. However, the detailed study of GRBs only became possible with advancements in technology and telescopes. In February 1997, astronomers using the BeppoSAX satellite detected an afterglow in X-rays, which was a significant breakthrough, pinpointing the location of these mysterious bursts.
Moreover, in March 2008, telescopes such as the Polish "Pi of the Sky" and the Russian-Italian TORTORA captured the afterglow of GRB 080319B. This particular gamma-ray burst was so luminous that it could have been seen with the unaided eye from Earth, had someone been looking directly at it. This event took place at a mind-boggling distance of 8 billion light-years from Earth, underscoring the astounding power and distant origins of GRBs.