First mathematical model for surviving a zombie attack
Who
Unknown
What
first
Where
Canada (Ottawa)
When
2009

In January 2009, graduate students and mathematicians from Carleton University, Ottawa, and the University of Ottawa, Canada, published the first mathematical investigation of the zombie – "a reanimated human corpse that feeds on living flesh". Taking their cues from traditional zombie movies, and in particular the classics by George A Romero (USA), the authors Philip Munz, Ioan Hudea, Joe Imad and Robert J. Smith (all Canada) hypothesized the effect of a zombie attack and its impact on human civilization. According to their mathematical model, “a zombie outbreak is likely to lead to the collapse of civilization, unless it is dealt with quickly. While aggressive quarantine may contain the epidemic, or a cure may lead to coexistence of humans and zombies, the most effective way to contain the rise of the undead is to hit hard and hit often.”

If an infection breaks out in a city of 500,000 people, the theories goes, the zombies will outnumber the living in about three days. "Only sufficiently frequent attacks, with increasing force, will result in eradication," the authors conclude, "assuming the available resources can be mustered in time."