A Strategic History of Quantum Technologies in the 20th & 21st Centuries: Assembled through the strategic lens championed by Brian Lenahan

by danikahannon696f7af778 with No Comment Brian Lenahan Danika Hannon Quantum Strategy

NOTE: Brian Lenahan, Founder & Chair of QSI, is known primarily for his contributions to quantum strategy, AI, and emerging technologies, especially in the 21st century. His work focuses on bridging the gap between business and quantum innovation, including through the Quantum Strategy Institute (QSI) which he founded. The following is a compilation that uses Lenahan’s themes—especially around commercialization, strategy, and future applications—to frame a history of quantum technologies in the 20th century.

Introduction: Framing Quantum’s History with Strategy in Mind

Brian Lenahan’s work consistently emphasizes the importance of translating quantum potential into real-world value. In retrospect, we can apply this lens to the 20th-century evolution of quantum technologies—not simply as a chronology of scientific breakthroughs, but as a strategic progression: from theoretical foundations to industrial interest.

1900s–1920s: The Quantum Awakening

Max Planck (1900) introduced the concept of quantized energy, setting the groundwork.
Albert Einstein (1905) explained the photoelectric effect using quantized light.
Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg advanced early quantum theory.

Strategic Insight: At this stage, quantum theory had no commercial strategy—it was pure science, but the seeds were planted. Lenahan views this as a foundational “discovery phase”, where key paradigms emerge but value extraction is undefined.

1930s–1950s: Quantum Theory Matures

Development of quantum electrodynamics (QED) and the formulation of the Copenhagen interpretation.
Early applications began to appear in nuclear physics, radar, and solid-state physics.
Bell’s Theorem and hidden variable debates surfaced.

Strategic Insight: Here we begin the “validation phase”—Lenahan highlights this as a time when theoretical quantum principles began influencing macro-level technologies (like nuclear energy), even though “quantum” was not yet a commercial term.

1960s–1980s: From Physics to Engineering

The laser and transistor—products of quantum physics—saw mass adoption.
Quantum chemistry matured with computational methods.
IBM and Bell Labs initiated early quantum research.
Feynman (1981) proposed quantum computers.

Strategic Insight: This era represents what Lenahan calls a “hidden quantum era”—quantum was under the hood of many emerging technologies, but not yet branded or understood by the business world. He would stress this as a missed opportunity to create narrative and economic momentum.

1990s: Quantum Information Science Emerges

Peter Shor (1994) demonstrated quantum algorithms that could revolutionize computing.
Quantum cryptography and entanglement experiments gained traction.
The term “quantum advantage” entered the discourse.

Strategic Insight: Lenahan’s strategic lens saw this decade as the birth of quantum value narratives—when investors and institutions first saw glimpses of how quantum could disrupt entire industries (e.g., finance, cybersecurity). He referred to this as the “awakening of commercialization potential”, though actual business models remained speculative.

Foundations for the Quantum Century

By the year 2000, the scientific groundwork was laid. The next step—where Lenahan’s real influence begins—is the translation of theory into strategy. He argued that the 20th century’s main quantum legacy was knowledge without vision, and that the 21st century must focus on vision with execution.

Strategic Rise of Quantum in the 21st Century

The 21st century marks the transition of quantum technologies from academic curiosity to commercial momentum. Through the strategic lens of Brian Lenahan, this period can be seen as the realization of potential laid during the 20th century-where governments, enterprises, and startups begin investing heavily in quantum futures.

2000s: Foundations of a Quantum Ecosystem

Early 21st-century research expanded quantum computing architectures-trapped ions, superconducting qubits, and photonic approaches gained attention. Governments launched major initiatives like the EU’s Quantum Flagship and DARPA’s quantum programs.

Strategic Insight: Lenahan categorizes this as the ‘infrastructure and exploration phase’, with industry observing but not yet acting decisively.

2010s: Momentum and Corporate Entry

Key developments include IBM’s quantum cloud access (2016), Google’s quantum supremacy claim (2019), and the formation of quantum startups like Rigetti, Xanadu, and IonQ. The rise of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms and increased funding put quantum on the business map.

Strategic Insight: This was the ‘commercial curiosity phase’, where strategic players began aligning roadmaps with quantum timelines. Lenahan emphasized education, awareness, and early ecosystem development.

2020s: Commercialization, Platforms, and Ecosystem Building

This decade sees explosive growth in quantum commercialization: IPOs (IonQ), cloud platforms (AWS Braket, Azure Quantum), and national initiatives (U.S. National Quantum Initiative, Canada’s NRC programs). Use cases in finance, pharma, and materials begin pilot testing.

Strategic Insight: Lenahan sees this as the ‘value extraction phase’. Strategy moves from observation to implementation. QSI and other cross-sector collaborations emerge to guide businesses on use cases, readiness, and ethical frameworks.

From Theory to Transformation

In the 21st century, quantum technology evolved from research labs into boardrooms. Brian Lenahan’s voice has been instrumental in helping organizations navigate uncertainty, define value, and take actionable steps. The strategic framing he champions turns a complex technology into a meaningful journey toward transformation.

Looking Ahead: 2030 and Beyond

As fault-tolerant quantum systems approach viability, the next decade will be about scalability, regulation, and societal integration. Strategy will focus on workforce development, responsible innovation, and hybrid architectures. Lenahan’s strategic foresight continues to inform these transitions.

How Brian Lenahan Extends This Legacy

Books like Quantum Boost and Quantum Strategy connect quantum science with practical applications.
His Quantum Strategy Institute (QSI) brings together cross-disciplinary experts to define roadmaps for quantum readiness and to unify scientists, entrepreneurs, and strategists.
Encouraged nations and organizations to prepare for the ‘Quantum Age’ with education.

Emphasis on SMEs and emerging markets, ensuring quantum is not just for tech giants.
He champions quantum education, preparing society for deep tech transitions through his Substack newsletter, Quantum’s Business

References:

Primary Quantum Science and History Sources

Planck, M. (1901). On the Law of Distribution of Energy in the Normal Spectrum. Annalen der Physik.
Einstein, A. (1905). On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light.
Bohr, N. (1913). On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules.
Heisenberg, W. (1927). The Physical Content of Quantum Kinematics and Mechanics.
Dirac, P. A. M. (1930). The Principles of Quantum Mechanics.
Feynman, R. P. (1982). Simulating Physics with Computers. International Journal of Theoretical Physics.
Shor, P. W. (1994). Algorithms for Quantum Computation: Discrete Logarithms and Factoring. Proceedings of the 35th Annual Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science.
Bell, J. S. (1964). On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen Paradox. Physics Physique.

Quantum Technology Development

Gilder, L. (2008). The Age of Entanglement: When Quantum Physics Was Reborn. Vintage.
Kumar, M. (2008). Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality.
Deutsch, D. (1997). The Fabric of Reality. Penguin Books.
Nielsen, M. A., & Chuang, I. L. (2000). Quantum Computation and Quantum Information. Cambridge University Press.

Brian Lenahan and Quantum Strategy

Lenahan, B. (2020). Quantum Boost: Using Quantum Computing to Supercharge Your Business.
Lenahan, B. (2021). Quantum Strategy: How to Realize Value from Quantum Computing.
Lenahan, B. (2022). Leadership for the Future of Quantum Technology.
Quantum Strategy Institute (QSI). Website: www.quantumstrategyinstitute.com
Quantum’s Business substack: brianlenahan.substack.com

Supporting Themes and Strategic Insight

Arute, F. et al. (2019). Quantum Supremacy Using a Programmable Superconducting Processor. Nature.

National Quantum Initiative Act (USA, 2018).
ETSI Industry Specification Group for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
McKinsey & Co. (2023). The Real Value of Quantum Computing for Business.

Quantum Roadmap Series: How to build your own quantum roadmap

by quantumstrategyinstitute with No Comment Brian Lenahan Quantum Strategy

Roadmaps offer an invaluable structure to the evolution of technology and technology deployment. Incorporating a complex technology such as quantum requires even greater diligence through roadmaps. In this article, we cover five types of roadmap: security, simulation, communication, standards and sensing.

Security Roadmap

With the maturity of quantum technology, and the approach of Y2Q, where can CxO’s look for information to build out their own #quantum security roadmaps? Below are some of the key players with updated links:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Quantum Security Alliance

European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC)

The following is one summary for #CEOs to follow:

*CEOs should increase their engagement with post-quantum standards developing organizations.

* Organizations should inventory the most sensitive and critical datasets that must be secured for an extended amount of time.

* Organizations should conduct an inventory of all the systems using cryptographic technologies for any function to facilitate a smooth transition in the future.

* Cybersecurity officials within organizations should identify acquisition, cybersecurity, and data security standards that will require updating to reflect post-quantum requirements.

*Organizations should identify where and for what purpose public key cryptography is being used and mark those systems as quantum vulnerable.

*Prioritize one system over another for cryptographic transition based on the organization’s functions, goals, and needs.

* Using the inventory and prioritization information, organizations should develop a plan for systems transitions upon publication of the new post-quantum cryptographic standard.

Simulation Roadmaps

A 2022 quantum simulation roadmap paper in Nature led by researchers from University of Strathclyde, “explores near- and medium-term possibilities for quantum simulation on analog and digital platforms to help evaluate the potential of this area.”

Quantum simulation occurs where problems not tractable for classical computers, model the quantum properties of microscopic particles.

Simulating electromechanical behaviour for battery development, molecules in life sciences/pharma, and materials are evolving areas of quantum simulation with dozens of quantum simulators in existence today according to The Quantum Insider.

Where can one find out more? At #summerschool2022, and #conferences.

Quantum simulation promises to be an important part of organizational research efforts and roadmaps going forward.

Communications Roadmaps

The field of applied quantum physics closely related to quantum information processing and quantum teleportation, quantum communication is most often associated with protecting information channels against eavesdropping via quantum cryptography.

Establishing roadmaps is one activity participants in this field are aggressively addressing. In 2018, QuTech researchers introduced a roadmap for quantum internet development in six phases. The first phase included “simple networks of qubits that could already enable secure quantum communications” – today’s reality – ending with networks of fully quantum-connected quantum computers. Check out QuTech‘s website for the latest updates including QuTech, Eurofiber and Juniper Networks partnering to deploy a Quantum testbed in The Netherlands.

Mohsen Rasavi from the University of Leeds School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering issued a roadmap document in 2021 “to address this subject from the viewpoint of deploying quantum key distribution (QKD) systems across our communications networks.”

The May 2022 paper in ResearchGate titled “Propagating Quantum Microwaves: Towards Applications in Communication and Sensing” suggests a growing interest in quantum microwaves and offers a roadmap to that end.

The roadmap to a quantum communications future is uncertain yet compelling in its possibilities.

Standards Roadmaps

Today’s quantum standards, compliance and regulatory environment is often referred to as the ‘Wild West’ of technology for its lack of documentation and enforcement. Not surprising given the maturity of the technology, and lack of convergence as of 2022. If you lead an organization – with old and new devices – you need to think about this environment for your organizational roadmap in at least the following ways:

Internal – developing internal (inside organization) standards is far from new, yet applying an immature technology set such as quantum can be daunting to those expecting certainty. By ring-fencing quantum (via pilots, siloed units, POC’s, low-risk applications), standard-bearers and compliance leaders can monitor the opportunities and implications of #quantumtechnologies. Jack Hidary and the SandboxAQ team discuss standards for organizations to consider in their July 2022 in Nature titled Transitioning Organizations to Post-Quantum Cryptography.

National – New requirements are being generated. The US government now requires each agency to address the quantum threat and protection measures for example. How soon before individual organizations take the same stance?

International – With so many #quantum modalities (photonics, superconducting, ion trap, etc) in the market today, what are the implications for #quantumhardware, software, services and their international standards? Organizations like IEEE, and European Information Technologies Certification Institute are addressing such global quantum standards evolution.

The field of quantum has a long runway ahead in terms of #standards so it remains important for organizations to monitor their internal efforts in generating quantum standards #roadmaps as national and international standards evolve.

Sensing Roadmaps

Visual imaging for vehicles, quantum clocks, gravity surveys, navigation, analyzing the human body or searching for lost treasure or oil & gas – #quantumsensing will be part of the toolkit in the future. For example, vehicles depend increasingly on being able to visualize their environment accurately. Quantum Computing, Inc. (QCI) recently competed in the BMW Group Sensor Challenge engaging their Entropy Quantum Computer. Here’s a video link for QC’s solution – I recommend watching all the way to the end. QCI’s quantum roadmap can be found here.

#Roadmaps are being actively developed and updated such as “Quantum Technology Roadmap Europe 2030“, “A roadmap for quantum technologies in the UK“, “IBM Quantum’s Development Roadmap, Building The Future of a Nascent Technology“, the Australian Army’s Quantum Technology Roadmap and many more.

#Quantumsensing promises to be one of the leading uses of #quantumtechnologies given the diversity of applications and their roadmaps will be compelling guideposts we watch over time.

The 5-Part Quantum Roadmap Series is copyright (c) Aquitaine Innovation Advisors

Quantum Evolution: Approach with Caution

by quantumstrategyinstitute with No Comment Brian Lenahan Danika Hannon Quantum Strategy

You approach an intersection on any road. Something one might do every day. The light turns yellow. Society’s universal social contract requires you to clear the intersection by slowing down or, if in the midst of the intersection, continue through. Yellow lights universally suggest caution.

As a businessperson first, technology enthusiast second, I have always approached new technology ideas with caution ensuring a primary focus on…