Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox' Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Typed document with two handwritten signatures and a thumbprint. Bet By Stephen Hawking and Kip Thorne against John Preskill. Signed in Pasadena, California, 6 February 1997.

Hawking collaborated with scientists from around the world and spiced up their disagreements by making bets. In 1997 he wagered that information entering black holes would get lost for ever, contradicting the expectation held by most physicists that it should be preserved.

In 2004 Hawking conceded the bet, agreeing that information would be scrambled but could theoretically be retrieved – although scientists continue to debate exactly how.

Details

Category:
Stephen Hawking Office
Collection:
Stephen Hawking’s Office
Object Number:
2021-561/8
Materials:
paper (fibre product), plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall (window mount): 355 mm x 279 mm x 2 mm,
overall (frame): 373 mm x 298 mm x 25 mm, 1.06 kg
overall (paper sheet): 278 mm x 216 mm .035 kg
type:
document
credit:
Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government from the Estate of Stephen Hawking and allocated to the Science Museum, 2021

Parts

Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

Typed document with two handwritten signatures and a thumbprint. Bet By Stephen Hawking and Kip Thorne against John Preskill. Signed in Pasadena, California, 6 February 1997.

More

Hawking collaborated with scientists from around the world and spiced up their disagreements by making bets. In 1997 he wagered that information entering black holes would get lost for ever, contradicting the expectation held by most physicists that it should be preserved.

In 2004 Hawking conceded the bet, agreeing that information would be scrambled but could theoretically be retrieved – although scientists continue to debate exactly how.

Measurements:
overall: 278 mm x 216 mm .035 kg
Materials:
paper (fibre product)
Object Number:
2021-561/8/1
type:
document
Frame for Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

Frame for Bet on the 'Black Hole Information Paradox'

Black plastic frame for typed document with two handwritten signatures and a thumbprint. Bet By Stephen Hawking and Kip Thorne against John Preskill. Signed in Pasadena, California, 6 February 1997.

More

Hawking collaborated with scientists from around the world and spiced up their disagreements by making bets. In 1997 he wagered that information entering black holes would get lost for ever, contradicting the expectation held by most physicists that it should be preserved.

In 2004 Hawking conceded the bet, agreeing that information would be scrambled but could theoretically be retrieved – although scientists continue to debate exactly how.

Materials:
plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2021-561/8/2
type:
frame