a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Quantum mechanics

First in use: c. 1900
Duplicate · right

Quantum computing

First in use: c. 1980

Quantum / Quantum mechanics / Quantum computing

Loading data…
Canonical todayMeasuring…
Status—
Duplicate share · 12 mo—
Last crossover—
Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Planck vs. qubits.

Which meaning of Quantum is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Quantum mechanics came first (c. 1900). Quantum computing arrived in 1980. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Quantum mechanicsQuantum computing
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · c. 1900

Quantum mechanics

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · c. 1980

Quantum computing

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—

More duplicated terms

Science & space