Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
IBM 4731 model BH2 Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) (supported by Woolwich Building Society)
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On-street cash machines need to retrieve account details from the bank’s central headquarters without them being captured by criminals eavesdropping on the phone lines. In 1973, computer giant IBM developed a powerful mathematical encryption method known as Lucifer for its ATMs. When the US government wanted an encryption system to protect civilian computer networks, it used a modified version of Lucifer which became known as ‘DES’, or Data Encryption Standard. This became a global standard for data security for over two decades, and is built into this cash machine.
- Measurements:
-
Overall: 1680 mm x 870 mm x 1370 mm, 730 kg
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 1995-423 Pt1
- type:
- atm cash dispenser
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
