The Enigma Cipher Machine
Feb 15, 2017
Ralph Simpson
The Enigma Cipher Machine

The Enigma machine was a cunning invention and major advance in cipher technology, which gave the Germans confidence in the secrecy of their messages during World War II. This was a reasonable confidence but proved to be wrong and eventually fatal. The story of the Allies conquering the overwhelming odds against breaking the code is a story of ingenuity and intrigue. Alan Turing led the Allies efforts to break the Enigma, which significantly shortened the war and ushered in the age of computers.

The success of cracking the Enigma was kept secret for 29 years, despite 15,000 people working on the effort. This secrecy is especially incredible for us living in the age of the internet, WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden. Over 35,000 Enigma machines were manufactured, but only 350 are known to exist today. You will see one of these rare machines demonstrated and have a chance to type in your own secret messages.

Ralph Simpson worked in the computer industry for 32 years, at IBM and Cisco Systems. He is now retired and is a volunteer at a local history museum. He is also an avid collector of cipher machines, which you can see on his website at CipherMachines.com.

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