Enigma Timeline
First Enigma Machine
Arthur Scherbius patents the first Enigma machine, originally designed for commercial use.
Enigma in use (Bundesarchiv)
The first commercial Enigma machine is produced by Scherbius & Ritter.
Plugboard of an Enigma machine
Polish mathematicians Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski begin breaking Enigma codes.
Polish Mathematical Breakthrough
Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski revolutionize cryptanalysis with mathematical theory.
Enigma's Mechanical Design
The complex mechanical design of the Enigma machine is fully understood and documented.
Bletchley Park Setup
The British Government Code and Cypher School moves to Bletchley Park.
Turing's Bombe
Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman develop the Bombe machine to break Enigma codes.
Naval Enigma Broken
The British successfully break the Naval Enigma code, a major breakthrough in the war.
Battle of Cape Matapan
A decisive naval victory made possible by breaking Italian naval codes at Bletchley Park.
War End and Legacy
The war ends, and the work at Bletchley Park remains classified for decades.
