I created an Enigma coding machine in Python – details and code are on github.
What is the Enigma Machine?
The Enigma machine was an electro-mechanical cipher device used primarily by Nazi Germany during World War II to encrypt military communications. It was considered unbreakable at the time, but the work of cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park, including Alan Turing, successfully broke the code, significantly contributing to the Allied victory.
The machine’s security came from its complex system of rotors, a reflector, and a plugboard that created trillions of possible encryption combinations.
Features
- Multiple configurable rotors (default: 5)
- Plugboard (patchboard) for additional scrambling
- Reflector with symmetric letter pairs
- Rotor stepping mechanism (odometer-style)
- Detailed logging showing encryption flow
- Position tracking for all rotors