Wired still seems to think it was a hack, or at least something fishy is going on. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/11/scada-hack-report-wrong/

That's a good point, but it occurs to me that OpenSSH is in many respects a virtual enigma machine. I think a lot of the comments are mistaking inventions with tools. If encryption is a tool, the enigma machine is a version of it. If inventions are tools, then the entire NPR question is stupid because we know for certain that nobody uses the Inca knot writing since nobody knows how to read it. Or are we looking at three distinct areas? Tools, inventions, and concepts... the line is blurry.

The enigma machine - True, though used as a learning tool

the Grand Arcanum (various alchemical processes intended to produce the Philosopher's stone) - But I dare say chemistry is huge.

The Inca "knots tied in a rope" document format. - But documents in written languages are pretty common.

Ancient Egyptian stone drill bits. - But drill bits can be found here and there.

Greek Fire (though arguably Napalm is a modern equivalent) - Yes, Napalm and, well, bombs.

The ancient Babylonian legal code (Hamorabi I think) - But law codes and rule of law is rather abundant.

Vacume tubes - I think this one is beaten to death by other comments.

Any of a number of calendars from civilizations that didn't make it to the 20th century. - Yeah, but we didn't stop using calendars.

Aristotle/Arcamedies model of the Universe - Again, models of the universe do show up occasionally.

The 4 Humors - Borderline. There are new biological models that we use.

Inventions are not always tools. Tools accomplish a task. To extrapolate, the AMC Gremlin and the Ford Pinto are no longer manufactured, but that by no means indicates that we stopped using automobiles.

I would say that since there is still a large amount of magnetic tape in use... everywhere. This tool is still in use. I'm sure there are thousands of models of hammers that are no longer made, but hammers are still use... everywhere.

Covering it up from whom? The article states that the feds have Lamo's laptop and the full logs. Other than refusing to satisfy public voyeurism aside, Wired hasn't hidden anything.

No, according to this article and the article where the log excepts were published, Wired received the logs from Lamo. The Feds now have Lamo's laptop and the original logs (according to the article). The whole reason (according to the article) why Lamo can't remember the exact content and doesn't have the logs is because he surrendered his laptop to the feds.

Someone sent an email to Theo making the claim. Theo put it on the internet. Now it's true.