possibly OT: Enigma Cypher machine on e-bay.

From: William Donzelli <aw288_at_osfn.org>
Date: Mon Mar 10 11:28:24 2003

> Hmm... Doesn't think this is a computer, eh? Wonder what it *is* then? It
> calculates, and provides a results of those calculations into some kind of
> output -- usually on paper.

Calling an Enigma a computer is really stretching the definition. They
are incredibly simple machines - the internal circuitry consists of not
much more than a battery, wires, the wheels (fancy rotary switches,
basically), a plugboard, and a bunch of lightbulbs.

For a previous question - the number of Enigmas in private hands is well
over 100 units. They are really not all that rare, but the price ($20,000
is not unusual) is high because of the extreme demand.

It is the U.S. crypto gear that is truely rare...

William Donzelli
aw288_at_osfn.org
Received on Mon Mar 10 2003 - 11:28:24 GMT