Idaho State University Informatics Research Institute to host presentation on WWII Enigma Machine Sept. 5

The Informatics Research Institute (IRI) will host a presentation with Tim Mucklow titled, "Securing War Time Communications – U.S. Successes Versus German Failures" that will focus on the encryption device, Enigma, on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. in Room 104 of the Business Administration building at Idaho State University.

The Enigma was the hallmark German device from World War II that encrypted and decrypted secret messages. Mucklow will bring an actual Enigma with him on loan from the National Security Agency for demonstrations on how the device functions. He will describe the strengths and weaknesses of this device in layman’s terms as well as its importance during World War II. Mucklow will also discuss how the United States government kept communication secret. 

In addition, the IRI will use resources from the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) to create a virtual 3-D image of the Enigma to demonstrate how it works. 

For more information contact James Frost at 282-4549 or frosjame@iri.isu.edu.