Questions tagged [secrecy]
The secrecy tag has no usage guidance.
7
questions
1
vote
1
answer
194
views
Where can I find a picture or physical description of the A3 scramble telephone system?
Who has a picture or physical description of the A3 scramble telephone system, which was used for speech privacy by Roosevelt and Churchill between 1940 and 1943. The system was most likely located ...
user61079
49
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Why were the Allies so much better cryptanalysts?
When I read about World War II, more specifically about the use of cryptography in that war, I get the impression that the Allies were much more successful in breaking the enemy codes than the Axis ...
- 4,656
33
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why did Roosevelt and Churchill use voice-based telecommunication, instead of simpler text-based options which were easier to encrypt?
Roosevelt and Churchill used an extremely sophisticated telephone encryption system, SIGSALY, to communicate during WWII. In fact, they did not use it all the time because apparently it changed the ...
- 751
30
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Biggest successful secret project in history?
Many conspiracy theories rely on a powerful organisation (government agencies, secret societies, etc.) hiding the truth from public view. A prime example are alien conspiracies.
To the known record, ...
- 449
37
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Why were the drawings of Colossus burnt after WW2 and why was its very existence "of course" kept secret?
After VJ Day, suddenly it was all over. Eight of the ten Colossi were dismantled in Bletchley Park. Two went to Eastcote in North London and then to GCHQ at Cheltenham. These last two were dismantled ...
- 379
72
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Did ancient peoples ever hide their treasure behind puzzles?
I just saw the film Dora and the Lost City of Gold, in which there is a somewhat meta running commentary over whether so-called "jungle puzzles", intellectual challenges typically requiring explorers ...
- 3,524
3
votes
0
answers
95
views
By when was the Manila galleon well known?
Spain managed to start up the Manila galleon system in the 1560s, linking the Philippines with Mexico. The Spanish crown used its control of non-free labor in New Spain to extract precious metals. On ...
- 27.6k