Playing with the NAZI Enigma machine
The Enigma machine was a device the Nazis used to turn their messages into secret code.
The code was then converted into Morse code, and transmitted across the airwaves.
Because anyone can listen in to the Morse code, like we listen to the radio, it needed to be jumbled so it would make no sense unless you knew how to un-jumble it.
On a trip to "Bletchley Park", I managed to get my hands on, and touch!, a real working Enigma machine. This would have actually been used by the Nazi's in battle.
So, some photos:
The device was like a typewriter in a solid wooden box. So the first thing that I notice is that it is SOLID. It's not a feeble thing, but very well made, to German precision. This would not break.
The box was beautifully constructed. Embossed with Nazi eagle.
It had some instructions in German on the lid.
So how did you use it?
Well, the idea is that you set the wheels at the top to a particular position, which you were told on the day.
Then you type your message. When you press a key, a light goes on over a letter. Someone would write down which letter lights up and then turns that into morse code. Pressing the same key again lights up a different letter. The machine works out which letter to light up. Well that's it.
At the other side, if you receive a jumbled message, you set the wheels to the prescribed position and type the jumbled message. The original message is revealed by the lighted letters.
So, what's it like pressing a key. Well, it provides a good resistance and is very smooth. A pleasure to type, and you immediately feel how well made the device is. Some cogs whir inside and the light comes on.
Because of the machines construction, this code is near impossible to break, particularly as the wheels change settings every day; or so they thought!!!!
Through sheer ingenuity the ladies at Bletchley park, England managed to hack it. Alan Turing then built a machine to simplify the unscrambling process, called "the Bombe".
