Story Padlet - 4th Grading Period by MADISON MCKNIGHT

Quote #1

madisonmcknight1 — 2025-04-28 13:49:27 UTC

'"This is a man's size job, but I seem to be getting away with it, and I am going to see it through"' (p. 68).

This quote, stated by Elizebeth Friedman, highlights how she felt that the codebreaking field was male-dominated, but she wouldn't let that stop her from succeeding. She was one of the most intellectually gifted women in her field and had many successes throughout her life all because she never gave up.

Quote #2

madisonmcknight1 — 2025-04-28 13:56:41 UTC

"If the Americans could uncover the machine’s workings, they would have access to a priceless stream of insight, gossip, and strategy, involving not only Japanese intentions but those of every tyrant in Europe" (p. 92).

This quote significantly represents how much pressure was on the codebreakers to succeed. One small piece of code information could cause the entire Axis code system to collapse and give the Allies the edge that they needed. Negatively, everytime the codebreakers failed, they felt that the entirety of the war was resting on their shoulders.

Quote #3

madisonmcknight1 — 2025-04-28 13:58:47 UTC

"Unlike the WAVES, she [Dot Braden] and her Arlington Hall colleagues were largely unrecognized for their war service. They were not feted or celebrated..." (p. 205).

This detail shows how disappointing it was for the women cryptanalysts to receive no recognition for anything they had strived for during WWII. They understood what they were doing was top-secret classified information, but it still hurt them emotionally and mentally to keep such a grave secret from their family and friends.

Quote #4

madisonmcknight1 — 2025-04-28 13:59:02 UTC

"Motherhood was the dividing line between brilliant women who stayed in the work and those who did not" (p. 344).

This detail shows how when women became mothers, they were no longer eligible to work in the military offices, breaking codes or doing other jobs. This was very hard for working mothers who had no other way to provide for themselves and their families while their husbands were at war.

Quote #5

madisonmcknight1 — 2025-04-28 13:59:15 UTC

"Crossword puzzles are designed to be solved, while codes and ciphers are designed to prevent solution. With codes, you have to be prepared to work for months-for years-and fail" (p. 93).

This detail highlights how difficult these codes actually were for the codebreakers. They were practically impossible to solve and it is highly impressive that the codebreakers cracked them at all. The codebreakers were met with failure more than they were with success which took a toll on their mental state and confidence in their abilities.