DARPA’s Shredder Challenge
Monday, November 21st, 2011
Shredded paper collected on a Marine Corps base
Now, reconstructing shredded documents takes brute force, thousands of man hours, or lots and lots of computer processing with little chance of success. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is wondering if there is a better way. It created the DARPA Shredder Challenge, with a first prize of $50,000, to see if the general public can create an effective method of piecing back together shredded documents.
DARPA is the “what if” part of the Pentagon, funding a huge variety of research. They have funded such things as stealth technology, anthropomorphic mechanical arms and hypersonic vehicles. A big chunk of their funds go to “black” or secret research. Their site reads that DARPA is the place for “high-risk, high-payoff research, development and demonstration of new technologies and systems that serve the warfighter and the Nation’s defense.”
The challenge is massive. There are dozens of brands and hundreds of models of shredders. Some shred in strips while others cross cut. Each produces a shred piece that is different than the others.
Then, there is the document. How big is each piece of paper and are they printed on one side or both sides? What language is used or is the document a code?
Document reconstruction is a complex process involving engineering and computer software. DARPA has created five puzzles, each of increasing complexity. The document for each puzzle must be reassembled in order to see the puzzle and then the puzzle has to be answered. The deadline for solutions is December 4, with the winner being announced the following day.







