Who First Named Physics Observers Alice and Bob?

Thread starter ohwilleke
Start date Jul 19, 2018
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education

AI Thread Summary

The practice of using the names Alice and Bob in physics education to represent observers in hypothetical scenarios originated in the 1980s, primarily popularized by the field of cryptography and quantum information theory. The names serve as a convenient way to illustrate complex concepts involving multiple parties or observers. The use of these names has since expanded beyond cryptography to various areas of physics and computer science. Additionally, the name Charles, or Chucky, is sometimes included in discussions to represent a third observer. The trend has been humorously referenced in popular culture, such as in the webcomic XKCD.

Jul 19, 2018

ohwilleke

Gold Member

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?

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Jul 19, 2018

Bystander

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Homework Helper

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

Jul 19, 2018

rootone

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

Jul 20, 2018

Ibix

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