Enigma Code machine to be auctioned

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/09/16/enigma.machine.auction/index.html?hpt=hp_t2



(CNN) -- An encoding device synonymous with one of the most remarkable episodes of World War II espionage will go under the hammer in London later this month.

A version of the three rotor Enigma machine -- used by the German military to encrypt messages, the code of which was subsequently cracked by a team at the legendary Bletchley Park complex -- will be auctioned at Christie's on September 29.

Although the number of the ciphering machines still in existence is thought to remain in the thousands, "it is rare for one to come up for sale," says Christie's specialist, James Hyslop. "Many are believed to have been produced but it's not a particularly high survival," he adds.

During the wartime period, the Enigma machine was the most advanced device of its kind, a forerunner of the first modern computer systems.

Originally produced by a Dutch company for commercial use in the aftermath of the First World War, the technology was snapped up for sole use by the German military in 1929.
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[MineralMan]

1. I'm betting that's going to bring big bucks.

It's a highly desirable item, both for collectors and for museums that don't have one. Auctions like this one have a high potential for breaking previous records.

[MineralMan]

2. If you're ever in the DC area, the National Cryptologic Museum

at Ft. George G. Meade is a wonderful place to visit.

http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/museum/

It's fascinating, and it's open to the public.

[Dennis Donovan]

4. I love stuff like this...

The story of ULTRA and the ENIGMA codebreaking; Joe Rochefort and the codebreaking successes before the Battle of Midway; the Navajo Code-Talkers. All incredibly fascinating stories!

Thanks for the heads up about the Cryptologic Museum!:thumbsup:

[MineralMan]

5. Most people don't know the museum exists.

They have an Enigma machine, and they used to let visitors actually operate it. It's been years since I've been there, so I don't know if that's the case any more. The museum has unusual hours, so a call in advance will make sure there's someone there and it's open when you want to visit. The phone number is at the link. There's also a library of cryptography for research. The stuff doesn't circulate, but you can make copies of any of it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. I had no idea there WAS such a museum. Thanks.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Churchill let the Luftwaffa bomb Coventry b/c of Enigma.

The deciphering was correct, the facts confirmed. But if the city were on alert, the German military would have known its code was cracked.

[MicaelS]

11. That is one of the "stories" that is wrong..

http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/myths/myths/he-let-coventry-burn

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/article-1004223/Did-Churchill-annihilate-Coventry-protect-bigger-prize.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra

Ultra revealed that a major German air raid was planned for the night of 14 November 1940, and indicated three possible targets, including London and Coventry. However, the specific target was not determined until late on the afternoon of 14 November, by detection of the German radio guidance signals. Unfortunately, countermeasures failed to prevent the devastating Coventry Blitz. F. W. Winterbotham claimed that Churchill had advance warning, but intentionally did nothing about the raid, to safeguard Ultra. This claim has been comprehensively refuted by R V Jones, Sir David Hunt, Ralph Bennett and Peter Calvocoressi. Ultra warned of a raid but did not reveal the specific target. Churchill, who had been en route to Ditchley Park, was told that London might be bombed, and returned to 10 Downing Street so that he could observe the raid from the Air Ministry roof.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

6. If you haven't already

I recommend Neal Stephenson's novel Cryptonomicon, which includes a fictional Alan Turing, Enigma machines, and the sneaky ways in which the Allies used Enigma intelligence without revealing their hand to the Axis. Stephenson is a novelist first and foremost, but he backs up his characters' actions with real science and history.

And if you turn out to like it, Cryptonomicon is followed by three more books (The Baroque Cycle) which go on to reveal not only the birth of modern cryptography, but also the birth of modern banking.

Sounds boring, but it's anything but!

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Thanks for the heads up - sounds fascinating!

:hi:

[taterguy]

8. No thanks, I've already got one

[Tesha]

10. Nowadays, there's probably an iPhone app! (NT)