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Code and ciphers: Julius Caesar, the Enigma and the internet

Code and ciphers: Julius Caesar, the Enigma and the internet

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114<br />

chapter 9<br />

Plate 9.2 The o<strong>the</strong>r side of an <strong>Enigma</strong> wheel. The 26 flat contacts are on this<br />

side. The alphabet tyre, setting ring <strong>and</strong> notch ring can be seen. The notch ring<br />

has a single notch, visible opposite M on <strong>the</strong> alphabet tyre.<br />

U R3 R2 R1<br />

Figure 9.1. The <strong>Enigma</strong> machine.<br />

Plain letter<br />

Cipher letter<br />

protruded, but a letter on <strong>the</strong> alphabet tyre on each removable wheel was<br />

visible through a small ‘window’ above it. Operators were thus enabled to<br />

use <strong>the</strong> setting rings to turn each wheel to its desired starting position.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> cover of <strong>the</strong> machine was open <strong>the</strong> operator could see all <strong>the</strong><br />

internal wheels <strong>and</strong>, by using a lever next to <strong>the</strong> reflector, take <strong>the</strong> three<br />

movable wheels out of <strong>the</strong> machine, slide <strong>the</strong>m off <strong>the</strong>ir common axis,

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