Computing · 1994

Shor's algorithm

A quantum algorithm that could break RSA encryption.

Peter Shor showed a quantum computer could factor large numbers exponentially faster than known classical methods. It turned quantum computing from curiosity into a strategic priority.

See it in the living tree Wikipedia

Arcs above join it to what it stood on, arcs below to what it led to. The bar places this stretch on the tree's whole timeline.

What it built on 2

Quantum computing proposal 1982
Fourier analysis 1822

What it led to 2

Quantum error correction 1995
Post-quantum cryptography standards 2024

Related measurements

The dashed line marks when it first worked.

Selected gate-model quantum processors Latest: 1.12k physical qubits (2023) Source: Wikipedia: Timeline of quantum computing and communication; Wikipedia: List of quantum processors