Timeline of Discoveries
2007
April 1, 2007
Kejardon (under a pseudonym, see page 2 of the thread) posts an SMV showing completing the game with 13% by X-Ray Climbing in Golden Four, then X-Ray Climbing in Mother Brain's Room to bypass the Mother Brain fight.
This run also came with this comment about another discovery in the game:
Finally, the trigger that makes Zebes explode is simply entering the room behind Mother Brain - all Mother Brain does is set the timer that kills you. It's a random tidbit of trivia I've only now had the chance to put to use.
2008
May 9, 2008
Hotarubi posts this video showing the springball strat used in Lower Norfair Spring Ball Maze Room for 100%.
2010
November 4, 2010
JAM discovers the GT Code: http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php/topic,562.msg14259.html#msg14259
JAM talks about the discovery of the GT Code here, in "Part 7": http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php/topic,2319.msg28930.html?PHPSESSID=7692891baede64b1d76ead1656039c49#msg28930
The article that ensued: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/196769/why_super_metroids_hacking_.php