The Science of Secrecy

Name: The Science of Secrecy
Released: 2000-10-01T00:00:00.000Z

TV Show · Documentary

Codebreakers: The Science of Secrecy brings to life the hidden history of codes and code breaking. Since the birth of writing, there has also been the need for secrecy. The story of codes is the story of the intellects who used mathematics, linguistics, machines, gut instinct, logic and detective work to encrypt and break these secrect messages and the effect their work has had on history.

2000 · 24m

The Zimmermann Telegram

In episode four, a deep and brilliant history of codes is examined. More importantly, we explore the cracking of an encoded telegram from the German foreign minister to the president of Mexico during World War I.
The Babington Plot

Episode one examines the case of Mary Queen of the Scots. A curious cipher in her correspondences resulted in a charge of treason in 1586 for plotting to assassinate Elizabeth I.
Le Chiffre Indechiffabrle: the Uncrackable Code

Episode two profiles mid-19th century inventor and mathematician Charles Babbage, who was challenged to crack a particularly resilient code. This code is none other than the famous Vigenère cipher, which had been left unbreakable for 300 years.
Going Public

Episode five examines public-key cryptosystems, which have been further developed into a cipher known as RSA (Rivest, Shamir and Leonard). Using prime numbers and algorithmic systems, RSA is used for secure data transmission across the globe.
Hieroglyphs

Episode two dives into the race to decipher the incredible and beautiful hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, discovered at the dawn of the 19th century.