Explore the fascinating world of code breaking during World War II in this 26-minute talk by Ben Ramchandani. Delve into the lesser-known story of the Lorenz machine, used by German High Command for strategic communications, and discover how it was cracked. Learn about the incredible mathematical and engineering achievements at Bletchley Park, including the development of Colossus, the world's first programmable electronic computer. Gain insights into the machine's structure, notation, and workflow, as well as the mathematical techniques used in code breaking. Examine the evolution of code-breaking technology, from Heath Robinson to Colossus Mk1, and understand the innovative components like tape readers, vacuum tubes, and programmable logic. Uncover the impact of these advancements on the war effort and their lasting influence on modern computing.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
Some context
Lorenz, Tunny and the German high command
Demo
Machine structure
Notation
Using a depth
Mathematical reconstruction
Describing the machine
Workflow at Beltchley
Tutte's 1 + 2 break in
Characterization of AD
Heath Robinson
Ideas behind Colossus
The problems
Output of Colossus
Colossus Mk1
Tape reader
Vacuum tubes
wheel pattern generation
Integrator capacitor circuits
A generation
Shift registers
Programmable logic
Counters
An example run
Success
Influence
Taught by
Churchill CompSci Talks
