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Building where Enigma Code was cracked listed by John Penrose


World War 2 heritage further protected

Block C at Bletchley Park which has been given Grade II listed status, was used to break the Enigma Code which contributed to the allied victory in the Second World War.

Block C housed the site’s first use of high-speed data processing machines on a large scale which greatly sped up the code-breaking work, previously done by hand. Its hardened exterior and soundproofing show the importance placed on protecting the Hollerith machines and card data inside.  

Speaking about his listing decision, Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose said: “It’s important the fabric of the building as well as the history surrounding the work of so many people inside those four walls is protected for future generations, and Block C clearly merits the extra protection against unsuitable alteration or development that listing provides.”

Origins of the modern computer

Bletchley Park is world renowned as a Second World War intelligence and code-breaking centre and is most famous for its achievement in breaking the German’s highly complex Enigma code. However it was also responsible for the development of the modern computer and further achievements within the subjects of mathematics and linguistics. Block C was first occupied in November 1942.

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