The talk will be given by:- Chris Shaw

Chris is a member of Smallfield Aviation and lectures on a wide range of technical subjects some of which are suitable for a technical audience and some for a general audience.

Ever since people developed languages there has been a need to communicate in secret for some messages. This talk looks at various methods of sending coded messages in a variety of forms, and codes we use as part of our everyday life. It includes examples of coded messages using symbols, objects, letters, codes using plain language, signals, letter substitution and frequency analysis, numbers, the Enigma, Lorenz and Colossus machines, electronic messages, and other forms of secret communications.

The talk has a connection to Guildford because Alan Turing’s parents lived in Guildford and he lived there during the school holidays.  That house now has a blue plaque in recognition of his achievements.  There is a statue of Alan Turing at the University of Surrey campus on Stag Hill.