Typex
Encyclopedia
In the history of cryptography
, Typex (alternatively, Type X or TypeX) machines were British
cipher machines used from 1937. It was an adaptation of the commercial German Enigma
with a number of enhancements that greatly increased its security.
. Typex came in a number of variations, but were five-rotor machines (as opposed to three or four in the Enigma) with a non-rotating reflector. Typically the first two rotors were stationary during encipherment, although they could be set by hand. These additional stationary rotors provided a similar sort of protection to that of the Enigma's plugboard, which the Typex lacked in early models.
An improvement the Typex had over the standard German Services Enigma was that the rotors in the machine contained multiple notches that would turn its neighbouring rotor.
Some Typex rotors came in two parts — a slug containing the wiring was inserted into a metal casing. Different casings contained different numbers of notches around the rim, such as 5, 7 or 9 notches. Each slug could be inserted into a casing in two different ways by turning it over. In use, all the rotors of the machine would use casings with the same number of notches. Normally five slugs were chosen from a set of ten. On a Typex rotor, each electrical contact was doubled to improve reliability.
On some models, operators could achieve 20 words a minute, and the output ciphertext or plaintext was printed on paper tape. For some portable versions, such as the Mark III, a message was typed with the left hand while the right hand turned a handle.
systems, which had been shown to be insecure, and which proved to be slow and awkward to use in practice. In 1926, an inter-departmental committee was formed to consider whether they could be replaced with cipher machines. Over a period of several years and at large expense, the committee investigated a number of options but no proposal was decided upon. One suggestion was put forward by Wing Commander O. G. W. Lywood to adapt the commercial Enigma, adding a printing unit, but the committee decided against pursuing Lywood's proposal.
In August 1934, Lywood began work on a machine regardless, authorised by the RAF
. Lywood worked with J. C. Coulson, A. P. Lemmon, and W. E. Smith at Kidbrooke
in Greenwich
, with the printing unit provided by Creed & Company
. The first prototype was delivered to the Air Ministry
on 30 April 1935. In early 1937, around 30 Typex Mark I machines were supplied to the RAF. The machine was initially termed the "RAF Enigma with Type X attachments".
The design of its successor had begun by February 1937. In June 1938, Typex Mark II was demonstrated to the cipher-machine committee, who approved an order of 350 machines. The Mark II model was bulky, incorporating two printers: one for plaintext and one for ciphertext. As a result, it was significantly larger than the Enigma, weighing around 120 pounds, and measuring 30" × 22" × 14". After some initial trials, the machine was adopted by the RAF, the Army and other governmental departments. During World War II
, a large number of Typex machines were manufactured by Powers-Samas
.
Typex Mark III was a more portable variant, using the same drums as the Mark II machines, but powered by turning a handle (it was also possible to attach a motor drive). The maximum operating speed is around 60 letters a minute, significantly slower than the 300 achievable with the Mark II.
Typex Mark VI was another handle-operated variant, measuring 20"×12"×9", weighing 30 pounds, and consisting of over 700 components.
Plugboards for the reflector were added to the machine from November 1941.
For inter-Allied communications during World War II
, the Combined Cipher Machine
(CCM) was developed, used in the Royal Navy
from November 1943. The CCM was implemented by making modifications to Typex and the United States ECM Mark II machine so that they would be interoperable.
Typex Mark VIII was a Mark II fitted with a morse perforator.
Typex 22 (BID/08/2) and Typex 23 (BID/08/3) were late models that incorporated plugboards for improved security. Mark 23 was a Mark 22 modified for use with the CCM. In New Zealand
, Typex Mark II and Mark III were superseded by Mark 22 and Mark 23 on 1 January 1950.
Erskine (2002) estimates that around 12,000 Typex machines had been constructed by the end of World War II.
and New Zealand
.
From 1943 the Americans and the British agreed upon a Combined Cipher Machine
(CCM). The British Typex and American ECM Mark II could be adapted to become interoperable. While the British showed Typex to the Americans, the Americans never permitted the British to see the ECM, which was a more advanced design. Instead, attachments were built for both that allowed them to read messages created on the other.
Although a British test cryptanalytic attack made considerable progress, the results were not as significant as against the Enigma, due to the increased complexity of the system and the low levels of traffic. A Typex machine without rotors was captured by German forces during the Battle of France
and more than one German cryptanalytic section proposed attempting to crack Typex; however, the B-Dienst
codebreaking organization gave up on it after 6 weeks, when further time and personnel for such attempts was refused. One German cryptanalyst stated that the Typex was more secure than the Enigma since it had seven rotors and therefore no major effort was made to crack Typex messages as they believed that the Enigma's messages were unbreakable.
Typex machines continued in use after the war up until the 1970s (the New Zealand
government disposed of its last machine in 1973.
Several Internet Typex articles say that only Vaseline
was used to lubricate Typex machines and that no other lubricant was used. Vaseline was used to lubricate the rotor disc contacts. Without this there was a risk of arcing which would burn the insulation between the contacts. For the rest of the machine two grades of oil (Spindle Oils 1 and 2) were used. Regular cleaning and maintenance was essential. In particular, the letters/figures cam-cluster balata
discs had to be kept lubricated.
using Fish cyphers.
History of cryptography
The history of cryptography begins thousands of years ago. Until recent decades, it has been the story of what might be called classic cryptography — that is, of methods of encryption that use pen and paper, or perhaps simple mechanical aids...
, Typex (alternatively, Type X or TypeX) machines were British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
cipher machines used from 1937. It was an adaptation of the commercial German Enigma
Enigma machine
An Enigma machine is any of a family of related electro-mechanical rotor cipher machines used for the encryption and decryption of secret messages. Enigma was invented by German engineer Arthur Scherbius at the end of World War I...
with a number of enhancements that greatly increased its security.
Description
Like Enigma, Typex was a rotor machineRotor machine
In cryptography, a rotor machine is an electro-mechanical device used for encrypting and decrypting secret messages. Rotor machines were the cryptographic state-of-the-art for a prominent period of history; they were in widespread use in the 1920s–1970s...
. Typex came in a number of variations, but were five-rotor machines (as opposed to three or four in the Enigma) with a non-rotating reflector. Typically the first two rotors were stationary during encipherment, although they could be set by hand. These additional stationary rotors provided a similar sort of protection to that of the Enigma's plugboard, which the Typex lacked in early models.
An improvement the Typex had over the standard German Services Enigma was that the rotors in the machine contained multiple notches that would turn its neighbouring rotor.
On some models, operators could achieve 20 words a minute, and the output ciphertext or plaintext was printed on paper tape. For some portable versions, such as the Mark III, a message was typed with the left hand while the right hand turned a handle.
History and development
By the 1920s, the British Government were seeking a replacement for their book codeCode (cryptography)
In cryptography, a code is a method used to transform a message into an obscured form, preventing those who do not possess special information, or key, required to apply the transform from understanding what is actually transmitted. The usual method is to use a codebook with a list of common...
systems, which had been shown to be insecure, and which proved to be slow and awkward to use in practice. In 1926, an inter-departmental committee was formed to consider whether they could be replaced with cipher machines. Over a period of several years and at large expense, the committee investigated a number of options but no proposal was decided upon. One suggestion was put forward by Wing Commander O. G. W. Lywood to adapt the commercial Enigma, adding a printing unit, but the committee decided against pursuing Lywood's proposal.
In August 1934, Lywood began work on a machine regardless, authorised by the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Lywood worked with J. C. Coulson, A. P. Lemmon, and W. E. Smith at Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke is a district of South East London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The district takes its name from the Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington to Lewisham, by which point it is part of the River Quaggy...
in Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, with the printing unit provided by Creed & Company
Creed & Company
Creed & Company was a British telecommunications company founded by Frederick George Creed which was an important pioneer in the field of teleprinter machines...
. The first prototype was delivered to the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
on 30 April 1935. In early 1937, around 30 Typex Mark I machines were supplied to the RAF. The machine was initially termed the "RAF Enigma with Type X attachments".
The design of its successor had begun by February 1937. In June 1938, Typex Mark II was demonstrated to the cipher-machine committee, who approved an order of 350 machines. The Mark II model was bulky, incorporating two printers: one for plaintext and one for ciphertext. As a result, it was significantly larger than the Enigma, weighing around 120 pounds, and measuring 30" × 22" × 14". After some initial trials, the machine was adopted by the RAF, the Army and other governmental departments. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a large number of Typex machines were manufactured by Powers-Samas
Powers-Samas
Powers-Samas was a British company which sold unit record equipment. The company was in competition with the British Tabulating Machine Company , with which it eventually merged in 1959 to form International Computers and Tabulators...
.
Typex Mark III was a more portable variant, using the same drums as the Mark II machines, but powered by turning a handle (it was also possible to attach a motor drive). The maximum operating speed is around 60 letters a minute, significantly slower than the 300 achievable with the Mark II.
Typex Mark VI was another handle-operated variant, measuring 20"×12"×9", weighing 30 pounds, and consisting of over 700 components.
Plugboards for the reflector were added to the machine from November 1941.
For inter-Allied communications during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Combined Cipher Machine
Combined Cipher Machine
The Combined Cipher Machine was a common cipher machine system for securing Allied communications during World War II and for a few years after amongst NATO...
(CCM) was developed, used in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
from November 1943. The CCM was implemented by making modifications to Typex and the United States ECM Mark II machine so that they would be interoperable.
Typex Mark VIII was a Mark II fitted with a morse perforator.
Typex 22 (BID/08/2) and Typex 23 (BID/08/3) were late models that incorporated plugboards for improved security. Mark 23 was a Mark 22 modified for use with the CCM. In New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Typex Mark II and Mark III were superseded by Mark 22 and Mark 23 on 1 January 1950.
Erskine (2002) estimates that around 12,000 Typex machines had been constructed by the end of World War II.
Security and usage
Typex was used by the British armed forces and was also used in Commonwealth countries such as CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
From 1943 the Americans and the British agreed upon a Combined Cipher Machine
Combined Cipher Machine
The Combined Cipher Machine was a common cipher machine system for securing Allied communications during World War II and for a few years after amongst NATO...
(CCM). The British Typex and American ECM Mark II could be adapted to become interoperable. While the British showed Typex to the Americans, the Americans never permitted the British to see the ECM, which was a more advanced design. Instead, attachments were built for both that allowed them to read messages created on the other.
Although a British test cryptanalytic attack made considerable progress, the results were not as significant as against the Enigma, due to the increased complexity of the system and the low levels of traffic. A Typex machine without rotors was captured by German forces during the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
and more than one German cryptanalytic section proposed attempting to crack Typex; however, the B-Dienst
B-Dienst
The B-Dienst was a German naval codebreaking organisation. During World War II, B-Dienst solved British Naval Cypher No. 3, providing intelligence for the Battle of the Atlantic, until the British Admiralty introduced Naval Cypher No. 5 on 10 June 1943. B-Dienst also solved a number of merchant...
codebreaking organization gave up on it after 6 weeks, when further time and personnel for such attempts was refused. One German cryptanalyst stated that the Typex was more secure than the Enigma since it had seven rotors and therefore no major effort was made to crack Typex messages as they believed that the Enigma's messages were unbreakable.
Typex machines continued in use after the war up until the 1970s (the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
government disposed of its last machine in 1973.
Several Internet Typex articles say that only Vaseline
Vaseline
Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly based products owned by Anglo-Dutch company Unilever. Products include plain petroleum jelly and a selection of skin creams, soaps, lotions, cleansers, deodorants and personal lubricants....
was used to lubricate Typex machines and that no other lubricant was used. Vaseline was used to lubricate the rotor disc contacts. Without this there was a risk of arcing which would burn the insulation between the contacts. For the rest of the machine two grades of oil (Spindle Oils 1 and 2) were used. Regular cleaning and maintenance was essential. In particular, the letters/figures cam-cluster balata
Balatá
Manilkara bidentata is a species of Manilkara native to a large area of northern South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Common names include balatá, ausubo, massaranduba, and "cow-tree"....
discs had to be kept lubricated.
Advantages over Enigma
All the versions of the Typex had advantages over the German military versions of the Engima machine. The German equivalent teleprinter machines in World War II used by higher-level but not field units were the Lorenz SZ 40 and Siemens and Halske T52Siemens and Halske T52
The Siemens and Halske T52, also known as the Geheimfernschreiber , or Schlüsselfernschreibmaschine , was a World War II German teleprinter cipher machine...
using Fish cyphers.
- Enigma machines required two operators, one to input text into the Enigma and one to copy down the enciphered or deciphered characters as they lit up, whereas Typex required just one.
- Typex avoided operator copying errors, as the enciphered or deciphered text was automatically printed on paper tape.
- Unlike Enigma, Typex I machines were linked to teleprinters while Typex II machines could be if required.
- Enigma messages had to be written, enciphered, transmitted (by Morse), received, deciphered, and written again, while Typex messages were typed and automatically enciphered and transmitted all in one step, with the reverse also true.
See also
- MercuryMercury (cipher machine)Mercury was a British cipher machine used by the Air Ministry from 1950 until at least the early 1960s. Mercury was an online rotor machine descended from Typex, but modified to achieve a longer cycle length using a so-called double-drum basket system....
(Typex Mark X) — a Typex descendent used for on-line traffic. - Cryptanalysis of the EnigmaCryptanalysis of the EnigmaCryptanalysis of the Enigma enabled the western Allies in World War II to read substantial amounts of secret Morse-coded radio communications of the Axis powers that had been enciphered using Enigma machines. This yielded military intelligence which, along with that from other decrypted Axis radio...
External links
- A series of photographs of a Typex Mk III
- Jerry Proc's page on Typex
- Photographs of a Typex at Bletchley ParkBletchley ParkBletchley Park is an estate located in the town of Bletchley, in Buckinghamshire, England, which currently houses the National Museum of Computing...
museum: http://www.maa.org/england/5_28_Bletchley_Park/image015.htm. - Typex graphical simulator for Microsoft Windows