In 1969 , John Conway showed a version of this polynomial , now called the Alexander -- Conway polynomial , could be computed using a skein relation .
Polynomial 's significance was not realized until the discovery of the Jones polynomial in 1984 .
In 1969 , John Conway showed a version of this polynomial , now called the Alexander -- Conway polynomial , could be computed using a skein relation , although its significance was not realized until the discovery of the Jones polynomial in 1984 .