In what seems now like a lifetime ago, I took a fourth year computer science paper at the University of Canterbury in data encryption as part of the first year of my MSc studies. My memories of the course are a little blurry, though I do remember lots of math (yuck!) and bits of computer science history (yay!). It also included some of the hardest assignments I’ve ever done. I so enjoyed the history bits the best – I think best in terms of themes and events, not bit manipulations.

The history of data encryption (and codes and cyphers etc.) still intrigues me though, and not just that relating to digital computing. So I was interested to see this article – BBC NEWS | Technology | Colossus loses code-cracking race – about rebuilding the WWII Colossus computer, as well as simulating it in software, and recracking a message encoded on a Lorenz S42 machine.

You can find out more about the Colossus project and its history at AlanTuring.net – The Turing Archive for the History of Computing (co-directed by Professor of Philosophy, Jack Copeland, at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch). In particular, look under the section AlanTuring.net – Codebreaking Catalogue.