Rare Second World War machine on display at new Diefenbaker Canada Centre exhibit
SASKATOON – A new exhibition at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to view an authentic Second World War Enigma cipher machine.
The 500-square-foot show, called Cipher|Decipher, will highlight a wide range of historic communications encryption artifacts on loan from the Communications Security Establishment (CSE).
“This exhibit provides a unique, interactive, and engaging experience for people of all ages, and is a great exhibit in which we are able to reopen our doors,” said Diefenbaker Canada Centre Curatorial, Collections, and Exhibits Manager, Heather Fraser. “We are looking forward to welcoming the public back into our exhibits as safely as possible.”
The exhibition, developed by Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation / Ingenium - Musées des sciences et de l’innovation du Canada in partnership with the CSE, allows visitors to scramble their own messages using a cipher wheel, see how an Enigma cipher machine works, and tackle puzzles to learn if they have what it takes to work in the field of cryptology.
“This interactive exhibition demystifies a complex field, and lets visitors discover how much communications cryptology technologies contribute to our everyday lives,” said President and CEO of Ingenium, Christina Tessier.
Cipher|Decipher is set to open on July 7 and will run through to Sept. 11, 2021. Tickets are available to pre-purchase for scheduled tours of the Diefenbaker Canada Centre permanent and travelling exhibits galleries. Attendance is limited to ten people per tour in accordance with both the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan and the USask Stages of Recovery guidelines.
For more information on how to book an exhibit tour, visit https://diefenbaker.usask.ca/cipher-decipher
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For more information, contact:
Heather Fraser
Curatorial, Collections, and Exhibits Manager
Diefenbaker Canada Centre
heather.fraser@usask.ca
(306) 966-8383
Philippe Tremblay
Media Officer
Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation /
Ingenium - Musées des sciences et de l’innovation du Canada
ptremblay@ingeniumcanada.org