A recent blog post by technologist Andy Baio has revealed that a PDF of Satoshi Nakamoto’s original white paper on Bitcoin seems to have been hiding within every modern version of the operating system for Apple’s Mac computers since Mojave in 2018. Baio discovered the white paper by accident when trying to fix his printer and scanning a document with a wireless scanner.
While doing this, a device called “Virtual Scanner II” appeared that he had never seen before. The default view showed a photo, but when Baio changed the media type from “Photo” to “Document,” Nakamoto’s white paper on Bitcoin appeared. Baio expressed his surprise at discovering the white paper, stating that he wasn’t looking for it at all.
The white paper is the original document that laid out the concept and design of Bitcoin, and its discovery within the macOS has caused excitement and speculation among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. It is not clear how the white paper ended up on the operating system, but its inclusion has been welcomed by those in the cryptocurrency community.
In his blog post, Baio noted that there is very little information available online regarding the inclusion of the Bitcoin white paper in macOS. He found a Twitter thread from designer Joshua Dickens in November 2020, who also discovered the white paper on his Mac. Baio used Dickens’ findings to locate the file on his own Mac and then created a prompt in Terminal so that others could easily access the white paper.
Baio also reached out to his Mac-using friends who confirmed that the white paper was present on their devices as well. When tested by Cointelegraph, the prompt successfully opened the Bitcoin white paper on three different Apple Mac devices.
Although it is unclear why the white paper is included in modern versions of macOS, Baio speculated that it may have been included as a lightweight multipage PDF for testing purposes and was never intended to be seen by end users. The file is reportedly included in every version of macOS from Mojave to the current version, but not in High Sierra or earlier versions.
Who is Satoshi Nakamoto?
Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonym used by the unknown creator or creators of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. The true identity of Nakamoto has never been confirmed, and their anonymity has become an important aspect of Bitcoin’s culture and ideology.
Nakamoto’s involvement with Bitcoin began in 2007 when they published a paper called “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” This paper outlined the principles and technical details behind Bitcoin, and it is considered to be the founding document of the cryptocurrency.
In 2009, Nakamoto released the first version of the Bitcoin software and started mining the first Bitcoins. They continued to work on Bitcoin until 2011 when they suddenly disappeared from public view. Despite several attempts to identify the real identity of Nakamoto, their true identity remains a mystery to this day.
The legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto and Bitcoin has been profound. Bitcoin has disrupted traditional financial systems, and its underlying technology, blockchain, has inspired a wave of innovation across industries. Satoshi Nakamoto has been hailed as a visionary, a genius, and a disruptor, and their work has earned them a place in the pantheon of technological pioneers.
FAQ on Bitcoin White Paper
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Bitcoin white paper:
Q. What is the Bitcoin white paper?
Ans- The Bitcoin white paper is a document authored by Satoshi Nakamoto that outlines the technical details and principles behind the creation of Bitcoin, the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency.
Q. When was the Bitcoin white paper published?
Ans- The Bitcoin white paper was published on October 31, 2008.
Q. What does the Bitcoin white paper explain?
Ans- The Bitcoin white paper explains how a decentralized digital currency can be created using a peer-to-peer network that allows users to transact directly without the need for intermediaries like banks or payment processors.
Q. How long is the Bitcoin white paper?
Ans- The Bitcoin white paper is nine pages long, including references.
Q. What is the significance of the Bitcoin white paper?
Ans- The Bitcoin white paper is significant because it provides the technical blueprint for the creation of Bitcoin and its underlying technology, blockchain. It has inspired a wave of innovation in the financial industry and beyond, and it continues to shape the future of digital currencies and decentralized systems.
Q. Can I read the Bitcoin white paper?
Ans- Yes, the Bitcoin white paper is available online and can be accessed for free. A simple Google search for “Bitcoin white paper” should lead you to several reputable sources where you can read the original document.