Random Numbers Generated by a Physical Device

A new method of generating random digits using radiations from radioactive nuclide is described. The digits are stored on magnetic tape which allows repeated use if required. One hundred million such digits have been subjected to stringent tests for randomness. These tests, some of which are described, show that the random digits avoid the well‐documented defects of digits generated by arithmetic means. They perform well for applications where sequences of independent random digits are required.