Modelling antique encryption machines with design software makes sense for several reasons:

• Some interesting encryption machines are lost – not a single copy has survived.
• Many interesting encryption machines exist only as patents. They have never been built.
• Antique encryption machines are quite expensive. Creating models is a cheap alternative.

With today’s software (for instance Blender, AutoCAD) it is possible to create photorealistic pictures of machines that only exist in the virtual world. In addition, digital models can be brought to life using 3D printers. The following list names some cipher machines that would be woth modelling.

Kryha Elektric

Time of origin: 1920’s

Status: lost, only a few photographs are known

History: The Kryha Elektric was constructed by Alexander von Kryha. It was the electric version of the Kryha Standard. It had no commercial success.

Kryha Standard

Time of origin: 1920’s

Status: about 20 copies are known

History: The Kryha Standard was constructed by Alexander von Kryha. Unlike most other encryption machines the Kryha Standard was not only designed for functionality but also for its visual properties. It is influenced by Art Deco and Streamline Modernism.

Schlüsselgerät 39

Time of origin: 1939

Status: lost, no photographs are known

History: This German machine was developed as a replacement for the Enigma. The Schlüsselgerät 39 was a rotor encryption machine with irregular rotor movement. However, it was abondonned because the Schlüsselgerät 41 (Hitler Mill) was chosen to replace the Enigma.

Purple

Status: Lost, no photographs of the entire machines are known (the photograph above only shows a fragment). American codebreakers built analogs, which were equivalent in function but looked completely different.

Siemens T43

Time of origin: 1943

Status: Lost, there is one photograph of this machine, as well as a patent.

Literature:

• https://www.cryptomuseum.com/crypto/siemens/t43/
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schl%C3%BCsselger%C3%A4t_39

Bomba

Time of origin: 1930’s