Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
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WAVES Sugar Camp Brochure

This WW2 brochure was used to recruit women into military service. The WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) assigned to Sugar Camp were working on a top secret project.

As a recruitment vehicle, the brochure implies an easy life, like a summer resort, but one where housekeeping was also required to help, "...keep their sweeping muscles in condition." The US Navy tried to attract the brightest women, in part by designing uniforms many thought were more flattering than other service uniforms.

The WAVES at Sugar Camp worked on a top secret project constructing decoding machines known as "BOMBEs".  The BOMBEs were capable of decoding the German ENIGMA cipher machines.
This complex machine consisted of approximately 100 rotating drums, 10 miles of wire, and about 1 million soldered connections.
Picture
Image Source: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (070918-F-12345-006)
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  • Home
    • About Us >
      • BOD Openings
    • Area History
  • Programs & Events
    • Tapping History
    • ELMHS At Home
    • Tours >
      • Field Trips
      • Group Tours
      • Self-guided Tours >
        • Virtual Tours
    • Cruises
  • Archives & Research Resources
    • Research Resources
    • Historical Images
  • Museum
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Veterans
  • Membership, Giving & Volunteering
    • Membership
    • Contributions
    • Volunteer
    • Donate Artifacts
  • Store
  • Contact Us