Alan Turing: The Meaning Of The Enigma Machine

Alan Turing When you think about World War 2, the first thing that comes to your mind is the conflict between the Allies and the Axis Powers. The four year gridlock between most of the world lead to one of the most devastating wars in all of history. The Germans forced their way throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, taking over many countries in the process. Nazi Germany also managed to gain dominance of the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Europe with their highly superior U-Boat. One of the largest contributing factors to the German success, was the seemingly impossible-to-crack encryption device, the Enigma Machine. Halfway through the war, the Allied powers began to regain dominance in the European region and for the exact opposite reason Nazi Germany had dominated the first 2 years of the war, the deciphering of the Enigma Machine. Alan Turing was one of the most influential

Born in Maida Vale, London, England on June 23, 1912, Alan Mathison Turing was the son of Julius Turing and Ethel Sara. Alan attended the Sherborne School, a well-known independent school, and displayed high levels of intelligence which were recognized but not always respected by his teachers. He was so interested in math and science that he independently studied far ahead of the school’s syllabus. While at Sherborne, Alan met Christopher Morcom who he because friends with as well as intensely attracted. Christopher’s death during Alan’s time at Sherborne lead to his scientific fascination with the mind and brain that lead to his works later in life. Alan attended King’s College, Cambridge from 1931-1934 where he graduated with first-class honours in mathematics and in his dissertation proved the central limit theorem, granting to be elected a fellow at the school upon graduation. From 1932 to 1935, Alan pursued a masters in quantum mechanics, probability, and logic also at