Enigma machine at University
Code breakers had the chance to relive a piece of history during a talk at Staffordshire University's Beaconside campus.
Code breakers had the chance to relive a piece of history during a talk at Staffordshire University's Beaconside campus.
One of the few surviving Enigma machines was the star of the show and members of audience had the rare opportunity to have a go.
The historic code-making machine from the Second World War inspired a hit film and was the feature of a talk given at the university lecture theatre by Dr Mark Baldwin.
He gave a practical hands-on demonstration of the device in his talk entitled "The Codebreakers: Enigma, Bletchley Park and the Battle of the Atlantic."
Dr Baldwin catalogued the fascinating story of the German Enigma machines and the Allied team which eventually cracked the code.
University press officer Richard Lakin said: "The Enigma machine was a portable encryption device, widely used by the Germans – and thought to be totally secure.
"But, using mathematical analysis and modern technology, a team of Allied experts based at Bletchley Park devised techniques for breaking the codes.
"They were able to read hundreds of thousands of German messages and provide a wealth of intelligence which saved numerous lives."