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Enigma
Flattened filament light bulbs
The Enigma cipher machine uses small - rather unusual - light bulbs on its
lamp panel. These bulbs have a common E10 fitting, but the glass balloon is
flattened somewhat. The diagram below shows it in comparison with
an regular spherical bulb. The one on the left is a standard E10 lamp
with a spherical (round) balloon. To its right are the flattened bulbs that
are used in the Enigma. There are two production variants: a clear one (centre)
and a half-opaque one (right).
Lamps like these were quite common before and during World War II (WWII),
and were at one time used on bicycles and in tourch lights, but are no longer
manufactured. The flattened shape is very important
as ordinary lamps are slightly higher and will therefore damage
the celluloid alphabet film above the light bulbs. This film becomes
brittle over time, and breaks and burns easily.
The official specification for the bulb is 3.5V/200mA,
but that is not as important as the shape. Lamps in this shape are
sometimes found in 2V, 2.2V, 2.5V and 3V voltages, and all of them are suitable.
However, to avoid sparks, it is important that the current does not exceed 200mA.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 27 August 2009. Last changed: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 - 21:20 CET.
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