David J. Wright
Date: February 26, 1998
In 1994, a worldwide conspiracy of more than 1600 computers (and two FAX machines!) solved the most famous cryptography challenge in existence, a challenge that was thought to be unbreakable! In this talk, we will describe the background of this feat, and the general science of cryptography: the study of inventing and ``breaking'' secret codes. We will also mention some of the fascinating historical episodes in cryptography, including the breaking of the German Enigma code used for naval communications during the Second World War by the brilliant mathematician Alan Turing, and the use by American forces of Navajo code talkers. Underneath all of it will be Number Theory, the study of the properties of whole numbers. At one time, number theory was considered to be primarily a branch of pure mathematics without substantial applications to benefit society. It is now known to be basic to all questions of secure communications and coding theory.
