Elliptic curve cryptography: the serpentine course of a paradigm shift (Q2430981)

In recent decades research into number theoretic questions concerning elliptic curves have become important in several applied areas, including coding theory, pseudorandom number generation and especially cryptography. The paper under review gives an overview of the history of elliptic curve cryptography presenting the surprising twists and turns in this paradigm shift. First, the authors describe what it is called the Ideal Model of research and development in cryptography. Next, they examine to what extent theirs observations and experiences conform to or contradict that Ideal Model. Finally, they summarize some of viewpoints in the ''Social Construction of Technology'' and ask whether those ideas can contribute to a better understanding the history of elliptic curve cryptography.