What is it?

Originally developed in the early 20th century, the Enigma machine was the encryption device used by the German military during World War II. The breaking of its code at Bletchley Park also triggered the dawn of computing, and not only through the work of Alan Turing.

We make two versions, because within our team we could not agree which one is prettiest: the flat Enigma 'touch' or the cased Enigma 'touch cased'. We leave the choice up to you.

The machine comes Assembled & Tested. It can be powered from a USB cable. Optionally, a LiPo battery can be added. Due to shipping restrictions, you have to buy the ~$10 LiPo battery yourself. US example, EU example link.

After WWII, the Enigma's story continued. Believing the machine was still secure, many countries kept using it — unaware that Western intelligence agencies were quietly reading their messages. Alan Turing, already the prime father of computer theory (the 'Turing Machine'), helped develop some of the earliest general purpose computers - the Manchester computers.

Why did you make it?

Designed by Jürgen Müller, the Enigma touch is a single-board design that aims to closely replicate appearance and function. Electronics on the back of the circuit board do the work; the front side replicates the original Enigma form factor on scale 2:3.

The design esthetic was to keep the exact 'user experience' intact, but replace the elegant, minimalist all-mechanical nature of the real Enigma with a similar minimalist, all-electronic implementation.

What makes it special?

So this is an electronic interpretation of a mechanical device. Elegance: there are exactly zero mechanical parts - the circuit board is not only the front panel, but also a capacitive keyboard and diffuser for the lamp panel letters. Tiny displays under the circuit board show the rotor positions; capacitive sliders reproduce the sprockets for turning the rotors. High quality samples from a loudspeaker in the back evoke the mechanical past of the Enigma.

The design esthetic was to keep the exact 'user experience' intact, but replace the elegant, minimalist all-mechanical nature of the real Enigma with a similar minimalist, all-electronic implementation.

Why you need one at home

Why just read about history when you can live it? The Enigma touch is a fully functional encryption device, compatible with all military Enigma versions that existed over time. It allows you to immerse yourself in the early age of crypto and codebreaking machinery hands-on.

This is meant as a somewhat practical communications device! So we also have a two-pack bundle. The idea being, you can exchange encrypted messages with a friend, relatively safely.

Because breaking Enigma's cypher is actually still extremely hard as long as you don't predictably mention your friend's name in every message. Connect the Enigma touch via USB to your computer as a second keyboard, and then use your regular email/chat/WhatsApp apps. Just let the Enigma do its work on both ends and frustrate snoops and spies worldwide. Click on the image below for an introductory Youtube, it'll be a real challenge for people you don't even know were listening in :-)

Youtube: Enigma USB keyboard

To take the experience further, ask another friend to try intercepting and breaking the messages using a Bombe simulator, just like the codebreakers at Bletchley Park. Good luck to him, as long as you follow good practice with Enigma settings.

Breaking the Enigma | Breaking the Enigma II

Whether you're a cryptography enthusiast, interested in hands-on history, or just looking for a truly unique way to communicate, the Enigma touch is a piece of WWII intrigue, and a surprisingly fun party game to play. If you're in one of those particular niches, of course.