It has not. Humanity is still a few materials science breakthroughs and a Nobel in physics or two away from a space elevator tether that can operate on Earth. M

It has not. Humanity is still a few materials science breakthroughs and a Nobel in physics or two away from a space elevator tether that can operate on Earth. Many have suggested carbon nanotubes, but nobody knows if you can actually practically manufacture a tether out of them.