The pop-sci answer is that Lorenz characterised chaotic atmospheric dynamics with the hypothetical example of a butterfly's flapping wings changing whether a tornado results. However, since butterfly-shaped solutions in the Lorenz attractor are sometimes called Lorenz butterflies, my question is: was the butterfly effect named for the shape of the plot or the hypothetical scenario of a butterfly's effect?
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2$\begingroup$ For an alternative treatment of a "butterfly effect," see "A Sound of Thunder," by Ray Bradbury. Skip the movie version. $\endgroup$– Carl WitthoftOct 17, 2017 at 12:33
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Ed Lorenz in 1963 wrote
One meteorologist remarked that if the theory were correct, one flap of a sea gull's wings would be enough to alter the course of the weather forever. The controversy has not yet been settled, but the most recent evidence seems to favor the sea gulls.
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Following suggestions from colleagues, in later speeches and papers Lorenz used the more poetic butterfly. According to Lorenz, when he failed to provide a title for a talk he was to present at the 139th meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1972, Philip Merilees concocted Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas? as a title.
I believe both of these were earlier than the possibility of computer images of the Lorenz attractor.
![[source]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TwoLorenzOrbits.jpg){kind=link}
answered Oct 16, 2017 at 16:50
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$\begingroup$ Another possible factor is that butterfly metamorphosis is frequently used as a symbol of change. It can be hard to tease these things out. $\endgroup$– MaryFeb 4 at 1:00
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2$\begingroup$ According to the quotes from Lorenz, "butterfly metamorphosis is frequently used as a symbol of change" had no bearing on this. $\endgroup$ Feb 4 at 1:31