Anyone who is interested in the history and state of the art of cryptography (or, more correctly, cryptology) should take a look/listen to the ACM Turing Award lectures given by Drs. Ronald Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman (the R and S and A in "RSA cryptography"). It's available in QuickTime, Shockwave, MP3 or WMA audio, or as a slideshow. Total running time: 14 min + 16 min + 20 min = 50 min. Well worth the time for those like me who love this stuff.
Turing Award Lecture at acm.org
And I'll give a nickel to anyone who can prove the equation shown on the chalkboard in the middle of Dr. Rivest's lecture.
Turing Award Lecture at acm.org
And I'll give a nickel to anyone who can prove the equation shown on the chalkboard in the middle of Dr. Rivest's lecture.