Exhibition – Digits, Codes and Ciphers – 100 Years of Polish Independence

Mathematicians who changed the course of history

One hundred years ago, during the Polish-Bolshevik war, Polish cryptologists helped save Poland from losing its newly regained independence. A couple of decades later, the work of cryptologists from Poznan became inextricably linked with the turbulent history of deciphering Enigma and accelerating the end of World War II. At the same time the Lviv School of Mathematics achieved international successes. The subsequent projects embarked on by Polish immigrants in the United States underpinned the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The Strength of International Cooperation

The cracking of the Enigma code is very symbolic. Polish and British mathematicians and cryptologists truly turned the tide of World War II. At the same time, the exchange of intelligence information initiated at that time marked the beginning of special strategic relations between intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom and the United States, which subsequently transformed into an intelligence alliance known as the ‘Five Eyes’.

The “Digits, Codes, Ciphers – 100 Years of Polish Independence”

The exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity to introduce to a wider audience the contribution of Polish scientists in the development of mathematics, cryptography and computer science. It will display archival and contemporary materials and exhibits related to the most eminent representatives of the Lviv School of Mathematics as well as documents of Polish radio intelligence from the Polish-Bolshevik war which have recently been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The exhibition will also show how the achievements of Polish scientists such as Stefan Banach or Hugon Steinhaus continue to influence the practical aspects of computer systems today.

Our goal for the next 100 years: security in the digital age

The “Digits, Codes, Ciphers – 100 Years of Polish Independence” exhibition will contribute to popularising Polish history in a year of 100th anniversary celebrations. At the same time, it will demonstrate how joint efforts of countries and nations can be turned in joint success, which in today’s cyber world allows us to improve national and international security. The exhibition will seek to inspire young Poles to develop their talents in high demand areas such as ICT and cybersecurity.

As Józef Piłsudski put it in 1920, due to relentless efforts of Polish cryptologists, for the first time in the Polish history, we knew more about the enemy than the enemy knew about us.

In the same vein, Poland in 2018 should grow its pool of national expertise and strengthen its international cooperation in cybersecurity, which are the pillars of further development and world peace.

 

EXHIBITION TOURS: FROM 29 SEPTEMBER TO 12 OCTOBER 2018, TUESDAY TO SUNDAY, 12-18

For two weeks the exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge. The accompanying events will include lectures as well as guided tours by specialists.

VENUE: THE CZECZOTKA PALACE AT THE MAIN MARKET SQUARE IN KRAKOW

Krakow is the city wherein the most famous representatives of the Lviv School of Mathematics began their work together in 1916.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION (invitations only): 8 OCTOBER 2018

 

We cordially invite you to take part in the “Digits, Codes, Ciphers – 100 Years of Polish Independence” exhibition and help preserve the memory of Poland’s historical achievements in the fields of mathematics, cryptography and computer science, as well as contribute to the debate about the development of Polish digital resources for the next century. The next century is also going to be marked by a joint struggle for cyber sovereignty.


This project is part of the commemoration of the centennial of the regaining of independence.

Presentation on the Lviv School of Mathematics


Presentation about the Polish cryptologists & the Enigma


Presentation about the "Digits, Codes, and Ciphers - 100 Years of Polish Independence" exhibition presented in Krakow

Honorary Patrons

  • A ministerstwo cyfryzacji eng
  • B msz eng upload
  • D Mon-upload
  • F MNiSW eng upload
  • MSWIA-upload
  • N PITA
  • n wojewoda-małopolski-upload
  • N wojskowe-biuro-historyczne-upload
  • o agencja-wywiadu-upload
  • o park-upload
  • p narodowe centrum kultury upload
  • T agh upload
  • U krk pol eng upload

Partner

  • narodowe-archiwum-cyfrowe-upload

Main patron

  • PZU-upload
  • tauron-upload

Patrons

  • 1 PGE-upload
  • 2 NASK-upload
  • b PWPW-upload
  • d airrport

Media patrons

  • kraków
  • radio-kraków-upload
  • tvp-3-upload