Embedded Files
Physicists and Mathematicians in Yorkshire about a decade ago
Physicists and Mathematicians in Yorkshire about a decade ago
Summer 2024 Readings: The Gold-Bug is a short tale written by Edgard Allen Poe and published in 1843. I read it for the first time several years ago. I almost forgot its plot, recalling only that it contains a relatively simple substitution cipher for the English alphabet that you can find here. According to Wikipedia this story inspired Robert Stevenson's Treasure Island novel and has the merit of introducing readers to the field of cryptography. One of them was the great cryptographer William F. Friedman who went to break the PURPLE cipher used by the Japanese during WWII. Curiously enough, Friedman's wife Elizebeth was a great cryptographer too. If you are curious about her life and achievements I strongly encourage you to read Jason Fagone's book The Woman who smashed codes (2017). Overall, the tale has an easy enjoyable plot about how the main character William Legrand managed to break the hidden cipher written on a pirate's map and subsequently found the treasure with the help of his servant Jupiter and a friend who narrates the story. I have to warn you that unfortunately, the description of the servant is racist, possibly due to the American culture of that time.
Summer 2024 Readings: The Gold-Bug is a short tale written by Edgard Allen Poe and published in 1843. I read it for the first time several years ago. I almost forgot its plot, recalling only that it contains a relatively simple substitution cipher for the English alphabet that you can find here. According to Wikipedia this story inspired Robert Stevenson's Treasure Island novel and has the merit of introducing readers to the field of cryptography. One of them was the great cryptographer William F. Friedman who went to break the PURPLE cipher used by the Japanese during WWII. Curiously enough, Friedman's wife Elizebeth was a great cryptographer too. If you are curious about her life and achievements I strongly encourage you to read Jason Fagone's book The Woman who smashed codes (2017). Overall, the tale has an easy enjoyable plot about how the main character William Legrand managed to break the hidden cipher written on a pirate's map and subsequently found the treasure with the help of his servant Jupiter and a friend who narrates the story. I have to warn you that unfortunately, the description of the servant is racist, possibly due to the American culture of that time.
In 2015, I had the chance to meet Professor Alessandro de Vita, who is pictured wearing a white shirt in the photo I took in Berlin, Germany. I found him to be a very interesting person. King's College London opened a teaching laboratory dedicated to his memory.
In 2015, I had the chance to meet Professor Alessandro de Vita, who is pictured wearing a white shirt in the photo I took in Berlin, Germany. I found him to be a very interesting person. King's College London opened a teaching laboratory dedicated to his memory.
Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco
Once, Umberto Eco surprised me by sending a copy of his book, Costruire il Nemico, while I was studying at the University of York in the UK. Along with his greetings for the year 2013, you could see his house and email addresses.
December 2019. JIS College of Engineering, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
December 2019. JIS College of Engineering, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
16th October 2025 . A picture of Siegessäule I took in Berlin about eleven years ago.
16th October 2025 . A picture of Siegessäule I took in Berlin about eleven years ago.
16th October 2025 . A picture of the Free University's building, close to the Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (Berlin), that I took about eleven years ago. Much later, I realised that this place was a filming location for a spy movie: The Quiller Memorandum
16th October 2025 . A picture of the Free University's building, close to the Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (Berlin), that I took about eleven years ago. Much later, I realised that this place was a filming location for a spy movie: The Quiller Memorandum
Durga celebration in October 2015 at Berlin, Germany, some years ago.
Durga celebration in October 2015 at Berlin, Germany, some years ago.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse