The official Java tutorial on generics explains type erasure and why it was added to the compiler:

When a generic type is instantiated, the compiler translates those types by a technique called type erasure — a process where the compiler removes all information related to type parameters and type arguments within a class or method. Type erasure enables Java applications that use generics to maintain binary compatibility with Java libraries and applications that were created before generics.

This most likely was a pragmatic approach, or perhaps the least painful one. However, now that generics is widely supported across the industry, what can be done in order for us to not need type erasure? Is it feasible with out needing to break backwards compatibility, or if it is feasible, is it practical?

Has the last the last statement in the quote above become self referential? That is: "type erasure enables Java applications that use generics to maintain binary compatibility with Java libraries and applications that were created with Java versions that perform type erasure."