The Rehmann Diskret
The Rehmann Diskret is a typewriter equipped with an integrated encryption function. Developed around 1899 in Berlin and Karlsruhe, it predates the widespread adoption of cipher machines by approximately three decades. Its encryption mechanism is comparatively simple. Despite its historical significance very little is known about the machine’s history.
The Rehmann Diskret (shown here at the Charlotte Symposium 2026) is an index typewriter with an integrated encryption function.
Unlike a conventional typewriter with a full keyboard, an index typewriter uses only a single key (located on the left side of the machine). Before printing a character, the operator selects the desired letter using the character wheel. Pressing the key then prints the letter currently indicated on the wheel.
The encryption function of the Rehmann Diskret (shown here in the collection of the Technical Museum Vienna) is based on a simple substitution cipher. The machine contains a second character wheel integrated into the main character wheel. This inner wheel can be rotated relative to the outer wheel, creating an offset between the plaintext and ciphertext alphabets.
The encryption function of the Rehmann Diskret (shown here at the Typewriter Museum in Partschins) is not particularly secure.
The Rehmann Diskret (shown here at the Beck Typewriter Museum in Pfäffikon, Switzerland) was probably invented by Richard Beger, a manufacturer of glassware and metal products in Deuben, near Dresden. Very little is known about this person.
As can be seen from this advertising poster, the Rehmann Diskret was sold for 75 Marks. Adjusted for inflation, this would correspond to more than €2,000 today. The machine was therefore a very expensive product.
At the Technical Museum Vienna, a Rehmann Diskret is displayed alongside numerous typewriters without encryption capabilities. As a result, visitors with an interest in cryptography can easily overlook this remarkable machine.
Greifbar ist nur das amerikanische Patent von 1902. .
Eine Chiffrierscheibe ist integriert.
Die Rehmann Diskret (Wien)wurde unter dem Namen “Discret” auch von der Firma Giernat & Schröter angeboten. Leider ist auch über diese Firma nichts bekannt.
Source: Vatican Library
ist historisch Leider ist nur sehr wenig über diese Maschine bekannt.Sammlertreffen 2014 in Essen
Die Rehmann Diskret (hier im HNF) Sie kann aber nicht besonders erfolgreich gewesen sein. Mir sind bisher nur acht Exemplare bekannt, die in irgendwelchen Museen stehen oder Privatsammlern gehören. Vermutlich gibt es noch mehr, aber in großen Stückzahlen wurde sie sichelrich nicht produziert
Literature
https://www.cryptomuseum.com/crypto/discret/index.htm
xxxxhttps://blog.hnf.de/diskret-schreibmaschine-zum-chiffrieren/
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