Click Here 195. Mic Drop: A return to the NSA's Cryptologic Museum - a spycatcher's dream
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Dec 27, 2024 Vince Houghton, the Director and curator of the National Cryptologic Museum, takes listeners on a thrilling journey through the world of espionage. He explores the museum's rare code-breaking machines that altered history. Fascinating stories emerge about WWII crates and the secrets they hold. The discussion highlights vital innovations like the 'Russian Fish' communication interceptor and the revolutionary Colossus computer. Houghton also shares insights on the pioneering Cray-2 supercomputer, showcasing the rapid evolution of technology in cryptography.
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The Russian Fish
- Vince Houghton discovered a mysterious German machine nicknamed the "Russian Fish" in a top-secret NSA warehouse.
- The machine was used to intercept Soviet communications during the Cold War.
Colossus and the Lorenz Cipher
- The Lorenz cipher machine, used by the Third Reich, was so complex that it required the creation of Colossus, the first programmable computer, to break it.
- Colossus's development significantly advanced computing technology.
Cray-2 Supercomputer
- The Cray-2 supercomputer, the fastest in the world in 1985, used liquid coolant to prevent overheating.
- Its processing power was so intense that it could melt itself without this cooling system.