Hugh Everett was a quantum physicist. In 1957, as a 24 year old graduate student at Princeton, Everett produced a theory that there was a multiverse made up of many universes. In Quantum Physics a particle can be in two places at once, until it is observed (the famous Schrodinger’s Cat problem). Everett supposed that instead of the other option disappearing, the universe splits into two.
Nowadays the idea is fairly well accepted, with multiple universes popping up in science fiction like ‘Sliders’ and Ian McDonald’s excellent latest novel, ‘Brasyl’. Back when Everett first came up with it, the theory was widely ignored for two decades.
Recently, new tapes have been found of Everett talking about his theory in 1977. BBC found the tapes whilst making a documentary with Everett’s son, who also happens to be rather famous – Mark Everett is ‘E’, lead singer of eclectic indie band Eels. The documentary follows ‘E’ trying to understand better his father’s work. It premieres on BBC4 tonight.
[quote]Back when Everett first came up with it, the theory was widely ignored for two decades.[unquote]
In scientific circles, that is probably true. In SF and fantasy though, there was this guy called Michael Moorcock, whose Jerry Cornelius novels all took place in a Multiverse. The first Jerry Cornelius book — The Final Programme — was published in 1968 and made into a feature film.
So at least in SF the idea was *not* ignored for two decades after 1957.
This is a good point Jetse – certainly SF has had a lot of mileage from Everett’s theory. But in Physics, it took a long time before scientists were prepared to take his idea on board (like a lot of the strange phenomena that quantum mechanics implies).