Who First Named Physics Observers Alice and Bob?

Thread starter ohwilleke
Start date Jul 19, 2018
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education

In summary, Alice and Bob are hypothetical characters used in cryptography and computer science to explain various concepts and protocols. The paternity of Alice and Bob refers to the origin of these characters and their use in various fields, and is important in understanding the context and history of cryptography and computer science. The concept of Alice and Bob was first introduced by researchers Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in their 1978 paper, making them the fathers of Alice and Bob. These characters serve as placeholders for two hypothetical users in scenarios involving communication and secure data transfer, and are used to explain abstract concepts and protocols in a relatable manner. Other characters similar to Alice and Bob, such as Eve, Mallory, and Trent

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?

Physics news on Phys.org

Jul 19, 2018

Bystander

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Gold Member

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

Science Advisor

Insights Author

Related to Who First Named Physics Observers Alice and Bob?

1. Who are Alice and Bob?

Alice and Bob are hypothetical characters used in cryptography and computer science to explain various concepts and protocols.

2. What is the significance of the paternity of Alice and Bob?

The paternity of Alice and Bob refers to the origin of these characters and their use in various fields. It is important in understanding the context and history of cryptography and computer science.

3. Who is considered the father of Alice and Bob?

The concept of Alice and Bob was first introduced by researchers Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in their 1978 paper "A Method for Obtaining Digital Signatures and Public-Key Cryptosystems". Therefore, these three individuals are often considered the fathers of Alice and Bob.

4. What is the purpose of using Alice and Bob in cryptography and computer science?

Alice and Bob are used as placeholders for two hypothetical users in various scenarios involving communication and secure data transfer. They serve as a way to explain abstract concepts and protocols in a more relatable manner.

5. Are there any other characters similar to Alice and Bob?

Yes, there are several other characters used in the same way as Alice and Bob, such as Eve (representing an eavesdropper), Mallory (representing a malicious attacker), and Trent (representing a trusted third party). These characters are also commonly used in teaching and explaining concepts in cryptography and computer science.