Breaking The Code: Dayton's Secret Role in World War II
Wright Memorial Public Library is pleased to present a new exhibit that tells the riveting story of Dayton’s role in changing the trajectory of World War II.
New Exhibit at Wright Library Showcases Dayton’s Role in Codebreaker History
A story so important, it was secret for 50 years
Wright Memorial Public Library is pleased to partner with the National Cryptologic Museum and Oakwood Unsung Heroes to present a new exhibit that tells the riveting story of Dayton’s role in changing the trajectory of World War II.
“Codebreakers: How Dayton Helped Win WWII” features artifacts on extended loan from the National Cryptologic Museum in Maryland including an Analog Enigma machine, Bombe Rotor, and ephemera. The items tell the story of Oakwood native and NCR Engineer Joseph Desch, the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and the rigorous yet secretive daily routine of decoding German war communication during WWII. Interpretive panels, designed by Lucy Davies, give context to the complicated process of encryption and decryption, how the Enigma Machine and Bombe Roter operated, and how Desch’s work gave leverage to the Allies against the German enemy.
The exhibit was initiated by Oakwood Unsung Heroes, a citizen’s group dedicated to raising awareness of some of Oakwood’s notable residents. Organization founders Andrew and Cheryl Lloyd worked closely with the library to bring the story to life. The partnership began in May of 2024 - now recognized as “Codebreaker Month” by a City of Oakwood proclamation - when Oakwood Unsung Heroes worked with the library and the daughter of Joseph Desch, Deborah Anderson, to host a film screening of the documentary “Dayton Codebreakers,” followed by a presentation about Desch’s life and his work in cryptology at NCR. Throughout the year, the library continued to recognize the importance of cryptology with a program series live-streamed from the National Cryptologic Museum.
In conjunction with the exhibit, Wright Library and the National Cryptologic Museum will offer two programs this spring at Wright Library:
- Sharing the Burden: Women in Cryptology in WWII - Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
- Solving the Enigma: The History of the German Cipher Machine - May 1 at 7 pm.
Both programs will be livestreamed at Wright Library, or you can register to attend virtually at wrightlibrary.org/events. More codebreaking events are expected throughout Oakwood and Dayton this spring, including a potential visit that is being discussed with Dermot Turing, the nephew of British Codebreaker Alan Turing.
This exhibit was also made possible with support from the National Aviation Heritage Area honoring Montgomery County as an American World War II Heritage designation and the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.
The exhibit is open to the public during regular library hours. Find details at www.wrightlibrary.org.
