The Paternity of Alice and Bob

[ohwilleke]

It is now a common trope in physics education to name the first two observers of a hypothetical physical system Alice and Bob (i.e. person A and person B).

When did this practice originate and who was responsible for it?

 

[Bystander]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_and_Bob

 

[rootone]

There also is Charles (Chucky) as well in some scenarios.

 

[Ibix]

See also https://m.xkcd.com/177/