Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is the site of a once secret code breaking facility in England. The park became home to cypher and codebreakers during World War II. The personnel employed here helped decipher German and Japanese messages being transmitted in code, allowing the Allied Forces to intercept important communications. It is also the site of the creation of the first computer, Colossus. The park is considered the birth of the information age. The dedication and endless hours of work put in went unrecognized because this facility, for all intents and purposes, did not officially exist. The code breakers would work in their designated department, socialize in the the common areas, and travel by train back and forth from home. Everything was strictly confidential. Even those working at the park could not discuss their departments work with others working on different assignments. Secrecy was a vital part of the work being performed.
The trip to Bletchley Park felt like a truly unique experience. It has gained notoriety in the last few years after the release of the feature film "The Imitation Game". I had seen the film but was in no way prepared for the magnitude of the park. It is like it's own little city. It's hard to imagine being in such an isolated situation with the fate of a nation resting on your ability to create new technology and understand something as complex as cyphers and codes. As a student of the information profession it is humbling to study the work of such a dedicated team of individuals. Especially knowing they did not receive true recognition for the role they played in securing victory and an end to the vicious war being waged on their own soil and abroad. The innovations that were created by individuals such as Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman, and Tommy Flowers are astonishing. It was so exciting to tour the exhibits that display the work being done behind closed doors.
The technological aspect of Bletchley Park is astounding to me. When I viewed the instruments the employees were working with it was difficult to understand that what I was looking at would one day transform into the devices of our technological age. It's hard to imagine a time when there was no internet, word processing, email, or social media. To have been at the forefront of that technology, especially while working towards protecting the men and women serving during wartime is truly impressive. It takes a special kind of person to dedicate themselves to something, knowing they may never be recognized for the work they so strenuously performed. I feel so lucky to have been able to walk the grounds of the park and see the inner workings.
Bletchley Park is the site of a once secret code breaking facility in England. The park became home to cypher and codebreakers during World War II. The personnel employed here helped decipher German and Japanese messages being transmitted in code, allowing the Allied Forces to intercept important communications. It is also the site of the creation of the first computer, Colossus. The park is considered the birth of the information age. The dedication and endless hours of work put in went unrecognized because this facility, for all intents and purposes, did not officially exist. The code breakers would work in their designated department, socialize in the the common areas, and travel by train back and forth from home. Everything was strictly confidential. Even those working at the park could not discuss their departments work with others working on different assignments. Secrecy was a vital part of the work being performed.
The trip to Bletchley Park felt like a truly unique experience. It has gained notoriety in the last few years after the release of the feature film "The Imitation Game". I had seen the film but was in no way prepared for the magnitude of the park. It is like it's own little city. It's hard to imagine being in such an isolated situation with the fate of a nation resting on your ability to create new technology and understand something as complex as cyphers and codes. As a student of the information profession it is humbling to study the work of such a dedicated team of individuals. Especially knowing they did not receive true recognition for the role they played in securing victory and an end to the vicious war being waged on their own soil and abroad. The innovations that were created by individuals such as Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman, and Tommy Flowers are astonishing. It was so exciting to tour the exhibits that display the work being done behind closed doors.
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