Latest news with #codebreaking
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alan Turing papers found in loft set to fetch £150K after nearly being shredded
Scientific papers by codebreaking war hero Alan Turing which were discovered in a loft are expected to fetch £150,000 at auction - after almost being shredded. The incredible archive was found gathering dust in an attic in Bermondsey, London, after its owner moved into a care home and her daughters began clearing out her loft. Among the documents which were nearly destroyed was a personal copy of the mathematical genius' PHD dissertation from 1938-39 and his first published paper from 1935. The papers, known as "offprints", had originally been gifted by Turing's mother, Ethel to her son's friend and fellow mathematician Norman Routledge. They were produced in very small numbers and distributed within academia, making them "incredibly scarce" survivors that rarely ever appear on the market. The documents were nearly destroyed. (Image: SWNS) The collection is now expected to sell for between £100,000-£150,000 when it goes under the hammer at Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffs, on June 17. Turing was one of the famous codebreakers at Bletchley Park who played a vital role in cracking the Enigma code, which led to Allied victory in World War Two. Despite helping to shorten the war by an estimated four years, on March 31 1952, he was prosecuted for homosexual acts and died from cyanide poisoning on June 7, 1954, aged 41. Shortly before pleading guilty, Turing sent a poignant letter to Norman Routledge, the original owner of the papers being sold. The letter, known as 'Yours in distress', was read by Routledge when he appeared in "The Strange Life and Death of Dr Turing" on the BBC's Horizon in 1992. It has also since been read by Benedict Cumberbatch after it was presented by Routledge to King's College, Cambridge, where it now resides in The Turing Archive. The collection is expected to make £150k. (Image: SWNS) But he kept the collection of Turing's offprints, which were eventually rescued by his nieces and nephews. One of the nieces explained: 'Following his retirement from Eton College, Norman bought and lived in a house in Bermondsey. "When he died in 2013, two of his sisters had the unenviable task of sorting through and emptying the contents. "There were lots of personal papers which one sister carted away and stored in her loft. The papers lay dormant until she moved into a care home almost a decade later. "Her daughters came across the papers and considered shredding everything. "Fortunately, they checked with Norman's nieces and nephews because he'd always been a presence in our lives. The papers were saved by Turing's friend, Norman. (Image: SWNS) Adding: "One cousin felt the Turing and Forster papers might be of interest to collectors. "After taking them home for a closer look, she decided to attend a local valuation day hosted by Hansons Auctioneers, who consigned them for research with their specialist saleroom, Rare Book Auctions. "We were bowled over by the valuations and level of enthusiasm.' The collection includes his PhD dissertation from 1938-39, Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals, which is signed by Turing, having been his personal copy. This document alone has been valued by the auction house at £40,000 to £60,000 as has his 1936-37 paper entitled On Computable Numbers. The paper introduced the world to the idea of a 'universal computing machine', which, despite the model's simplicity, is capable of implementing any computer algorithm, and has been described as the first programming manual of the computer age. The papers have been checked by experts. (Image: SWNS) Jim Spencer, director of Rare Book Auctions, who is more famed for finding Harry Potter first editions, described the collection as "the most important archive I've ever handled.' He said the exchange of offprints had historically been a method of correspondence between scholars and is prized by collectors as representing the first separate edition of an important work. He added: 'Nothing could've prepared me for what I was about to find in that carrier bag. "These seemingly plain papers-perfectly preserved in the muted colours of their unadorned, academic wrappers - represent the foundations of computer science and modern digital computing. "Literature has always been my forte, not mathematics, so the past few months of intensively researching and cataloguing these papers has left me feeling that Alan Turing was superhuman. The collection includes letters. (Image: SWNS) "For me, it's like studying the language of another planet, something composed by an ultra-intelligent civilisation." The collection also includes The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis, which dates from 1952, and is Turing's lesser-known masterpiece of mathematical biology. It has since become a basic model in theoretical biology, describing what have come to be known as 'Turing patterns'. Mr Spencer said: 'As recently as 2023, a study confirmed Turing's mathematical model hypothesis as outlined in The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis. "In this way the papers are still alive. They're still relevant and groundbreaking. 'We even have Turing's first published paper from 1935 – Equivalence of Left and Right Almost Periodicity – which is simply a single sheet of paper. The collection is set to get interest from around the world. (Image: SWNS) "And the provenance couldn't be better. The archive was gifted to Turing's friend and fellow mathematician Norman Arthur Routledge (1928-2013) by Turing's mother Ethel - and we have her handwritten letter explaining this." In the letter, dated May 16, 1956, Ethel Turing says: 'I have to-day sent by registered post 13 of Alan's off-prints...I don't know what people in Cambridge thought of the manner of Alan's death. "I am convinced it was accidental as the experiment of coke under electrolysis – which smelt of cyanide had been going on for weeks – I feel sure he got some of this on his fingers & so on to the apple he customarily ate in bed...I have had some requests to write a biography of Alan...I have masses of material because from the time he was about 6 I spotted a winner – despite many detractors at school – and kept many papers about him.' Mr Spencer added: "This fascinating letter is a golden thread that neatly ties up and seals the authenticity of everything being offered. "The potential value compels us to offer the papers individually. The price is unknown and could run to any amount. Recommended Reading London company allowed to keep name as lawsuit dropped Beckenham woman befriends stray dog in Bali to bring home London chimney sweeper shares what the job is really like 'Anything with a direct connection to Turing is highly desirable and almost impossible to find. "These papers were owned by his close friend Norman, having been gifted to him by Turing's mother. That's what makes this collection so significant. 'Hardly anything like this appears on the open market, so predicting hammer prices is fortune-telling." Adding: "I suspect interest will be strong in Silicon Valley – where Turing's influence shines brightly – but it would be lovely to see material acquired by institutions who could share things with the public."
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Alan Turing's papers nearly shredded after being found in a loft
A cache of papers found in a loft and almost shredded is expected to fetch £150,000 after it was identified as the pioneering work of Alan Turing. The papers, described as the foundations of computer science, include the wartime codebreaker's signed copy of his 1938 PhD dissertation, Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals. It is valued between £40,000 and £60,000. Also included is his paper On Computable Numbers, also known as Turing's Proof, which introduced the world to the idea of a universal computing machine in 1936. It is has been described as the first programming manual of the computer age, and also has a guide price of £40,000 to £60,000. Turing played a vital role in cracking the German Enigma code, crucial to the Allied victory in the Second World War. But he was later persecuted for being a homosexual and took his own life in 1954 at the age of 41. After his death his mother, Ethel Sara Turing, gave her son's papers to Norman Routledge, a loyal friend of Turing and fellow mathematician. She wrote Routledge a covering letter in which she said her late son 'always believed that he had a gift'. She also expressed her doubts his death was suicide, stating she was convinced it was accidental poisoning by cyanide. Before he pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of gross indecency for homosexual acts in 1952, Turing sent Routledge a poignant letter known as 'Yours in distress'. Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Turing in the 2014 film The Imitation Game, has been recorded reading out the letter. Routledge kept the papers for the rest of his life, storing them in the loft of his home in Bermondsey, south London. After his death in 2013, his sister stored them in her attic. When she moved into a care home, her daughters were on the verge of putting them in a shredder with her other documents, but a relative advised seeking an expert opinion. Jim Spencer, of Rare Book Auctions of Lichfield, was stunned when he opened the carrier bag full of documents at a valuation day. He said: 'These seemingly plain papers – perfectly preserved in the muted colours of their unadorned, academic wrappers – represent the foundations of computer science and modern digital computing.' He explained that the papers, known as offprints, were produced in very small numbers and distributed among fellow scholars, making them incredibly scarce survivors. The sale takes place on June 17. The 13 lots of the Turing Papers also include The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis, from 1952. This, it is said, is Turing's lesser known masterpiece of mathematical biology, and his last major published work. It has since become a basic model in theoretical biology. There are also letters written to Routledge from EM Forster, the novelist. One of his nieces said: 'Norman was an amazing man who showed genuine interest in everyone he came into contact with. His family were very important to him. He kept in regular contact and was interested in what each one was doing.'
Argaam
16-05-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Decoding The Enigma
The codebreakers were not just unravelling a tapestry of encrypted messages but grappling with the ever-shifting sands of the Enigma code that the Germans wielded like a weapon. Each day brought with it not just the challenge of uncovering existing patterns but the exhilarating unpredictability of anticipating fresh alterations in the code's complexities, elements that could change with the dawn of a new day. This resilience and relentless pursuit of meeting a challenge stood out as one of the most memorable scenes in the acclaimed American film The Imitation Game, capturing the intense pressure the team faced as they raced against time to decipher messages that felt as elusive as shadows. Fast forward to 2025, and a similar veil of unpredictability looms over the global economic landscape, which looks replete with surprises after the election of President Donald Trump. His decisions do send ripples through media and markets alike, making the task of strategic forecasting seem almost never ending, as just when one believes they have achieved clarity, new developments reset the situation. Just as the codebreakers had to navigate the shifting variables of the Enigma code, today's leaders and strategists should come to terms with the rapid and often unforeseen changes associated with Trump's unique style in governance. In light of the prevailing unpredictability in today's world, we must critically assess whether our strategic contingency planning is robust enough to navigate the complexities ahead. The recently released annual report of the 2030 Vision rightly emphasizes the significant achievements and the extensive progress made at different sectors under Vision 2030, which has transformed the kingdom and placed it in a markedly improved position on the global stage. But have we truly learned from past events? While these impressive achievements are commendable, they also highlight the importance of maintaining a vigilant mindset and ensuring that contingency plans are in place to address any future uncertainties. Trump's approach often manifests in sudden shifts in policy or rhetoric that can leave observers trying to "decode" his decisions and strategies continually; thus, fostering a sense of resilience becomes crucial, enabling stakeholders in the kingdom to adapt and respond effectively to the dynamic political landscape the new US administration creates. Moreover, it is essential to adjust the expectations and goals of Vision 2030. Such adjustments would ensure that the strategy remains relevant and aligned with external political developments, allowing for a more resilient approach to achieving the kingdom's long-term objectives. Resilience is defined as the ability of a disrupted system to return to the pre-disruption state. In project management and strategic planning, this involves anticipating potential disruptions and developing robust contingency plans to address them effectively. The high tariffs imposed by the US on various countries, chiefly China which promised it would 'fight to the end', lead to a significant shift in global supply chains. For Saudi Arabia, these tariffs would lead sooner or later to increased costs and fluctuating availability of imported materials, a scenario that could directly affect some project timelines. Contingency planning not only mitigates financial uncertainty but also ensures operational continuity, enabling organizations to adapt swiftly to changing market conditions and sustain their growth trajectory. As Saudi Arabia gears up for high-profile events like the FIFA World Cup in 2034, the need for an accurate assessment of time contingencies and cost of some materials becomes critical. Traditional risk assessment methods might not fully capture how such geopolitical disruptions influence local projects. By prioritizing this phase, different sectors – including the energy sector which's exempted from the sweeping US tariffs - can foster a proactive culture that values preparedness, ultimately enhancing their ability to navigate unforeseen challenges. We must try hard to 'decode' the unpredictable signals in a highly dynamic political and economic global landscape. The journey of resilience requires not only acknowledging past disruptions but also weaving them into the fabric of today's strategic planning. In an ever-changing context and a world that only accepts the strong and adaptable, resilience remains the smartest language of survival.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ranvir Singh forced to step in and comfort ITV guest, 94, as she bursts into tears live on Lorraine
Ranvir Singh was forced to step in and comfort a guest on the show as she burst into tears after a jaw-dropping surprise on Tuesday's episode of Lorraine. The TV presenter, 47, who stepped in to host the ITV show, was joined by 98-year-old Joy Trew, 98, to talk about her time in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force when she helped intercept German radio communications during World War II. During her stint on Lorraine, Joy explained that she was recently with King Charles, after he invited her to celebrate VE Day - and she even ended up sitting next to him at the celebrations. Joy and Ranvir were also joined by Dr Tessa Dunlop, British historian and author, who loves to share people's stories about who have contributed to the war - and she ended up giving Joy a very special award. Tessa said: 'Not only was she in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, not only was she was dissecting and writing down this meticulous difficult work at 17, she was part of the code breaking nexus. 'That means, and I write this in the conclusion, that you're not only a WAAF veteran, you are a Bletchley Park veteran. The TV presenter, 47, who was stepped in to host the ITV show, was joined by 98-year-old Joy Trew, 98 (pictured), to talk about her time in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force when she helped intercept German radio communications during World War II 'I have here, a certificate from the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the government code and Cypher school... 'And we also have a commemorative badge, you should have had this years ago, but we didn't know about you!' Joy couldn't believe it as he emotion got the better of her on the sofa. As she started to cry, Ranvir got out of her seat to give her a hug. Ranvir said: 'We are all so proud of you. 'Thank you so much, Joy, for everything you did for us.' Many at home watching also got emotional and flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts. One said: 'Bloody hell [crying, smile and love heart emoji] #Lorraine.' Joy and Ranvir were also joined by Dr Tessa Dunlop, British historian and author, who loves to share people's stories about who have contributed to the war - and she ended up giving Joy a very special award This isn't the first VE segment that ITV have aired this week. This Morning viewers were concerned for guests on the show after a huge studio shake-up for the VE Day street party. Monday's instalment of the ITV daytime show featured Rylan Clark, 36, and Emma Willis, 49. The pair were presenting from outside the ITV studio and to commemorate VE Day, Rylan and Emma sat down with veterans who witnessed the event 80 years ago. Surrounding the outdoor set-up was a celebratory street party and singers. However, some viewers were concerned over the warmth of the elderly veterans on the show after the weather had cooled down since last week. Many posted on X: 'Everybody looks freezing, why don't they just take it inside #thismorning.' Presenting from outside the ITV studio and to commemorate VE Day, Rylan Clark, left, and Emma Willis, second left, sat down with veterans who witnessed the event 80 years ago 'They could have put these poor people indoors #thismorning.' '#thismorning any reason why this couldn't have been done inside the studio, they look b***** freezing.' 'I'm freezing sitting in the house #thismorning.' 'The wind seems to be going up a gear since the start of the show.' 'Maybe they should've done this interview in the studio #thismorning,' someone else penned, followed by a cold emoji. During the episode, it began to rain and people were moved indoors to warm up. Emma explained: 'We've sent them inside for tea and cake.'
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Today's AI can crack second world war Enigma code ‘in short order', experts say
The Enigma code was a fiendish cipher that took Alan Turing and his fellow codebreakers a herculean effort to crack. Yet experts say it would have crumbled in the face of modern computing. While Polish experts broke early versions of the Enigma code in the 1930s and built anti-Enigma machines, subsequent security upgrades by the Germans meant Turing had to develop new machines, or 'Bombes', to help his team of codebreakers decipher enemy messages. By 1943, the machines could decipher two messages every minute. Yet while the race to break the Enigma code has become famous, credited with shortening the second world war by up to two years, and spawning various Hollywood films, experts say cracking it would be a trivial matter today. 'Enigma wouldn't stand up to modern computing and statistics,' said Michael Wooldridge, a professor of computer science and an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) at the University of Oxford. The Enigma device used by the Axis powers was an electro-mechanical machine that resembled a typewriter, with three rotors that each had 26 possible positions, a reflector that sent the signal back through the rotors and a plugboard that swapped pairs of letters. Its set-up meant that even if the same key was pressed twice, a different letter would be produced each time. What's more, the initial settings were changed every 24 hours. 'Essentially the enigma devices got their power because the number of possible ways in which a message could be encrypted was astronomically large. Far, far too large for a human to exhaustively check,' Wooldridge said, adding that the 'bombes' were crude hardwired mechanical computers, searching through enormous numbers of possible alternatives to decrypt Nazi messages. Dr Mustafa A Mustafa, a senior lecturer in software security at the University of Manchester, added that the key to the success of Turing and his colleagues was that Enigma had a number of weaknesses, including that no letter would be represented as itself once enciphered. 'It was [a] brute force attack, trying all different combinations out. But with these weaknesses of the Enigma, they managed to do that. They managed to automate this to do it fast enough to be able to crack the code,' he said. Today, however, the process would be far less arduous, not least because of a technology Turning himself pioneered: AI. 'It would be straightforward to recreate the logic of bombes in a conventional program,' Wooldridge said, noting the AI model ChatGPT was able to do so. 'Then with the speed of modern computers, the laborious work of the bombes would be done in very short order.' Wooldridge added that a range of modern statistical and computational techniques could also be deployed. 'And the power of modern datacentres is hard to imagine,' he said, noting modern computing power would have astounded Turing. 'Enigma would not remotely be a match for these,' he said. Using a slightly different approach – that Wooldridge suggested might be slower – researchers have previously used an AI system trained to recognise German using Grimm's fairytales, together with 2,000 virtual servers, to crack a coded message in 13 minutes. But while modern computing would have rapidly defanged Enigma, techniques such as the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) cipher – a system initially developed in 1977 and based on large prime numbers – remain robust. 'In the case of RSA, it's the problem of factoring very large numbers. Brute force techniques – looking through all the alternatives – just won't work on these problems,' said Wooldridge, although he noted such techniques might not hold up against future developments. 'If quantum computers ever deliver their theoretical promise, then we may need completely new techniques to keep our data safe,' he said. But while the Enigma code would not stand up long to modern technology, Mustafa said cracking it during the war was a huge achievement, not least as it was considered unbreakable. 'To be able to crack it – it took them months, more than a year – but to be able actually to do this within the lifetime of the war, it was a huge thing,' he said. 'God knows what would have happened if we hadn't cracked Enigma in time.'
