Yes, there was indeed research and development on ternary logic, which involves three possible logical states, during the 1950s and 1960s. Ternary logic was explored as an alternative to the more commonly used binary logic, which has only two possible states (0 and 1). The idea behind ternary logic was to utilize three states, typically represented as 0, 1, and -1 or as 0, 1, and 2, to potentially increase computational efficiency and density.
Ternary logic was studied for its potential applications in early computing systems, such as analog computers and certain specialized digital systems. However, it did not gain widespread adoption in the mainstream computing industry. Binary logic prevailed as the dominant logic system due to its simplicity, ease of implementation, and compatibility with existing technologies.
Regarding its applicability to quantum computing, ternary logic is not directly related to the fundamental principles of quantum computing. Quantum computing operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which involve quantum bits (qubits) that can be in superposition states of 0 and 1 simultaneously. Quantum computing does not rely on ternary logic or any specific logic system used in classical computing.
If you're interested in learning more about ternary logic and its historical development, you may find relevant information in academic papers, books on computer history, or early computing research archives. Unfortunately, I cannot browse the internet or provide specific online resources, but a search engine query using terms like "ternary logic history" or "ternary logic in computing" should help you find suitable online sources and references.