The Science of Secrecy

Documentary · 2000 · 24 min Prime Video
Available on Prime Video

Host Simon Singh examines the secretive history behind the development and evolution of ciphers and code breaking. The stories in the series range from the cipher that sealed the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the coded Zimmermann Telegram that changed the course of the First World War.

Documentary · 2000 · 24 min

Episodes

  • The Zimmermann Telegram

    In episode four, a deep and brilliant history of codes is examined. More importantly, we explore the cracking of an encoded telegram from the German foreign minister to the president of Mexico during World War I.

    24 min · Jan 1, 2015
  • The Babington Plot

    Episode one examines the case of Mary Queen of the Scots. A curious cipher in her correspondences resulted in a charge of treason in 1586 for plotting to assassinate Elizabeth I.

    24 min · Jan 1, 2015
  • Le Chiffre Indechiffabrle: the Uncrackable Code

    Episode two profiles mid-19th century inventor and mathematician Charles Babbage, who was challenged to crack a particularly resilient code. This code is none other than the famous Vigenère cipher, which had been left unbreakable for 300 years.

    24 min · Jan 1, 2015
  • Going Public

    Examining public-key cryptography, which was further developed into a cipher known as RSA.

    24 min · Jan 1, 2015
  • Hieroglyphs

    Episode two dives into the race to decipher the incredible and beautiful hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, discovered at the dawn of the 19th century.

    24 min · Jan 1, 2015

Related

About

The Science of Secrecy

Documentary

Host Simon Singh examines the secretive history behind the development and evolution of ciphers and code breaking. The stories in the series range from the cipher that sealed the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the coded Zimmermann Telegram that changed the course of the First World War.

Information

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XiveTV
Released
2000
Rated
TV-G

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