Room+40+-+Quest+1

Overview
Deciphering codes was a critical aspect of Allied success during the World War I. Most history classes discuss the[| Zimmerman Telegraph] in one-way or another. At the most basic level it is explained that the British intercepted a telegram from the German government intended for the Mexican government that got the United States involved. But what about the code breakers themselves? What makes a good code-breaker? What do they look like? Are they simply people with high IQ’s? [|Sir James Alfred Ewing] and [|Room 40] are examples of how diverse code-breakers are and how their methods can be eccentric. Ewing and Room 40 successfully deciphered 15,000 German messages during WWI. Many of these messages concerned German Naval activity and gave the British Royal Army a needed edge throughout the war. Sir James Alfred Ewing led a unique group that grew to 90 code breakers by the end of the war. The make-up of the unit was diverse ranging from well-known professors to priests to dress makers. Ewing was eccentric and began deciphering codes in his youth. He chose members of Room 40 in an egalitarian manner. He selected individuals who possessed obvious code-breaking talent including a number of women. Ewing ran his team with very little restraint. He fostered an open environment that included a free-wielding exchange of ideas. Most notably Ewing allowed Alfred Knox, a particularly talented code-breaker, to work from a bathtub because he claimed that he worked best surrounded by soap and steam. Many of the code breakers were attracted to Ewing’s leadership because they did not believe they were cut out for typical military life.

To read more about Alfred "Dilly" Knox you can download his full biography [|here].

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