The short history of fame for Sarah Flannery

Young Irish woman Sarah Flannery's life changed forever when she appeared on the front page of the London Times as a 16-year-old schoolgirl under the headline "Teenager cracks e-mail code."

Her school science project on the science of encrypting confidential email contained a novel algorithm that had the potential to revolutionise internet transactions.

Software and venture capital firms came knocking with fabulous job offers.

There was speculation that she would soon become another internet millionaire. But Sarah Flannery had to watch the hype evaporate when a fatal flaw was discovered.

Despite this she was named the 1999 Irish and European Young Scientist of the Year, awards that recognised her willingness to take up the hardest intellectual challenges and vindication for her pursuit of science.

She says: "What I had known all along is that I loved cryptography.

"I didn't care about the end result so much.

"I was doing the project for the project's sake.

"I have tried to make it clear that I just want to go to university and get on with my life.

"I'm not available for hire."

Sarah Flannery will visit Auckland for a Herald-Dymocks Literary Luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel on July 27.

* Sarah Flannery is interviewed by Gilbert Wong in the Weekend Herald tomorrow. She talks about the pleasures and pitfalls of being labelled a genius.