The original enigma machine was developed by German engineer Arthur Scherbius and was patented in 1918 during World War I. It was a commercial device marketed to the public available to anyone. Although Scherbius and his partner, E Richard Ritter, approached the German Government, no secret agency showed interest in the machine. During the following years, several improvements were implemented and it became well known in Europe, Asia and America, being legally sold in many countries.
This machine was also used by many military forces before and during WWII, most notably by Nazi Germany.
The Commercial Enigma
The first enigma machine sold to the public was the Enigma model A in 1923. This machine was heavy and bulky, incorporating a typewriter. In 1925 Enigma model B was introduced, having a similar design with model A. Despite having the same name, later versions were very different to model A and B. Not only were they physically different, they also featured the 'reflector'.
The reflector — suggested by one of Scherbius's colleagues —was introduced in Enigma model C (1926). Model C was smaller and more portable than its predecessors. It lacked an incorporating typewriter, thus relying on the operator to record its output; hence the informal name of "glowlamp Enigma".
The Enigma C quickly gave way to Enigma D (1927). This version was widely used, with shipments to many countries including Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Military Enigma
The German Navy was the first Nazi military branch to adopt Enigma. This version was put into production by 1925 and was introduced into service in 1926. The keyboard and lampboard contained 29 letters— A-Z, Ä, Ö and Ü —which were arranged alphabetically, as opposed to the QWERTZUIO ordering. Three rotors were chosen from a set of five and the reflector could be inserted in one of four different positions, denoted α, β, γ and δ.
By mid-1928, the German Army had introduced their own version of the Enigma—the Enigma I. The major difference between Enigma I and commercial Enigma models was the addition of a plugboard to swap pairs of letters, greatly increasing encryption strength.
This machine was also used by many military forces before and during WWII, most notably by Nazi Germany.
The Commercial Enigma
The first enigma machine sold to the public was the Enigma model A in 1923. This machine was heavy and bulky, incorporating a typewriter. In 1925 Enigma model B was introduced, having a similar design with model A. Despite having the same name, later versions were very different to model A and B. Not only were they physically different, they also featured the 'reflector'.
The reflector — suggested by one of Scherbius's colleagues —was introduced in Enigma model C (1926). Model C was smaller and more portable than its predecessors. It lacked an incorporating typewriter, thus relying on the operator to record its output; hence the informal name of "glowlamp Enigma".
The Enigma C quickly gave way to Enigma D (1927). This version was widely used, with shipments to many countries including Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Military Enigma
The German Navy was the first Nazi military branch to adopt Enigma. This version was put into production by 1925 and was introduced into service in 1926. The keyboard and lampboard contained 29 letters— A-Z, Ä, Ö and Ü —which were arranged alphabetically, as opposed to the QWERTZUIO ordering. Three rotors were chosen from a set of five and the reflector could be inserted in one of four different positions, denoted α, β, γ and δ.
By mid-1928, the German Army had introduced their own version of the Enigma—the Enigma I. The major difference between Enigma I and commercial Enigma models was the addition of a plugboard to swap pairs of letters, greatly increasing encryption strength.
By 1930, the Army had suggested that the Navy adopt their machine, citing the benefits of increased security (with the plugboard) and easier interservice communications. The Navy agreed and in 1934 brought into service the Navy version of the Army Enigma, named the M3.
A four-rotor Enigma was introduced by the Navy for U-boat traffic in early 1942, called the M4. The extra rotor was fitted in the same space by splitting the reflector into a combination of a thin reflector and a thin fourth rotor.
A four-rotor Enigma was introduced by the Navy for U-boat traffic in early 1942, called the M4. The extra rotor was fitted in the same space by splitting the reflector into a combination of a thin reflector and a thin fourth rotor.