When did statistical studies become important for the study of physics?

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StevenMiller
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When did statistical studies become important for the study of physics?

Could someone cite something for me to read which would put this question in a historical context?

I’m doing research on Arpad Elo (1903-1992). He did a master’s degree in physics (I assume before 1926), and then taught physics beginning sometime around 1926. In an interview he said: “I was in classical physics. The ideas of quantum mechanics came about after my graduation, and that’s when a new generation of physicists had to learn probability theory, because they began to find that in certain physical phenomena, probabilities were a factor.”

I would like to corroborate his statement, if possible.

Steven Craig Miller
 
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