The idea is attributed to Polish-American physicist Stanislaw Ulam, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb and proposed the general framework for NPP in 1946.

To regard (a work, for example) as belonging to or produced by a specified agent, place, or time: attributed the painting to Titian; attributed the vase to 18th-century Japan.

to consider as a quality or characteristic of the person, thing, group, etc., indicated. He attributed intelligence to his colleagues. to consider as made by the one indicated, especially with strong …

attribute sth to sb This idea has long been attributed to Keynes, but in fact he was not the first to think of it.

If a piece of writing, a work of art, or a remark is attributed to someone, people say that they wrote it, created it, or said it.

attribute something to something to say or believe that something is the result of a particular thing. She attributes her success to hard work and a little luck. The power failure was attributed to …

to consider that something is the result of something else: She attributes his bad temper to ill health. to believe that a person or thing has a certain quality or characteristic: It is a mistake to …