Black & White Photo of Alan Turing next to coloured photo of Benedict Cumberbatch
A scientific 56-page manuscript by Alan Turing, subject of the Oscar-winning movie The Imitation Game, sold to an anonymous bidder at Bonhams New York auction on Monday for $1,025,000!
Bound with the original cloth-backed covers, the notebook contained Turing’s complex mathematical and computer science notations. The 1942 manuscript is believed to be the only extensive Turing papers known to exist.
Alan was on his way to creating one of the world`s first computers.
Turing`s document contained early attempts to chart a universal language. His work ultimately leads to the creation of a computer code.
Alan Turing Manuscript
Take a look at this photo in which Turing scribbled notes about a complex calculus notation.
“The Leibniz notation I find extremely difficult to understand in spite of it having been the one I understood the best once! It certainly implies that some relation between x and y has been laid down eg, y=x2+3x...”
It is believed this hidden Alan Turing manuscript was written during his time at Bletchley Park. The mansion and grounds were used as a hush-hush secret base for the British government`s code-breakers during World War II.
Bletchely Park
And what was the main objective?
To break the unbreakable code of Hitler`s death machine - The Engima.
Alan and the cryptologists eventually deciphered secret messages about German military movements. Their work is believed to have shortened the war by at least two years.
Enigma Machine
Enigma Machine 1944
Bonhams New York also auction an Engima machine along with Alan Turing`s hidden manuscripts.
It is very rare for one of Hitler`s most coveted code device to appear in this kind of condition, completely untouched and completely un-restored.
The three-rotor device, manufactured for the German military in July 1944, sold for $269,000.
Most Engimas were taken as souvenirs by the Allied forces. Over time, parts were mixed and matched. This particular Engima Machine however, had all elements bearing and the same serial number, which made this original throughout.
Enigma code was the pulse of German intelligence communications.
The simple yet complex machine was comprised of a system of rotors, keyboards, and electrical wires resembling a typewriter. Highly portable, Engima was quickly adopted by all branches of the German armed forces.
It was thought to be U-N-B-R-E-A-K-A-B-L-E.
One fundamental flaw was the German habit of using standard words or phrases at the start of each message.
For the most famous enchiphering device in the world in which the code changed at 6am every single day; the Germans used daily standard words and phrases?!
I would tell you which words and phrases were used, but how about you watch the movie instead and see for yourself.
The Imitation Game was nominated for 8 Academy Awards including, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Best Supporting Actress (Kiera Knightley).
Quote by Benedict Cumberbatch:
"Alan Turing was a war hero, who broke the Enigma code helping to bring an end to World War II."
About the Author... Chuck G. is a freelance blogger and celebrity interviewer based in Southern California. She`s quite the geek who likes to play arcade games and writes/produces short films. You may follow her on Twitter @chuckgwriter.
