In the 1992–1998 window, optomechanics emerged from the fusion of cavity quantum electrodynamics concepts with micro- and nano-scale resonators. The era witnessed strong light–matter interactions, including indications of vacuum Rabi splitting in cavity systems, high‑quality factor microcavities, and efficient energy transfer between guided light and resonant modes, all enabling precise readout and control of mechanical motion. Advances in nanofabrication and optical coupling created a versatile toolkit—spanning ultra-high‑Q whispering-gallery-mode resonators, fiber-taper coupling, and optical trapping—that catalyzed a shift toward cavity‑assisted manipulation of micro- and nanoscale objects.