The Justice Department asked a Brooklyn federal court yesterday to reverse its decision, stating that Apple isn't required to help the FBI with the encrypted iPhone of the San Bernardino shooters.

Many have called it a battle between the need for security and the need for privacy.

But to really understand the case, you may just need to travel to Robertsdale, Alabama.

That's just what Washington Post reporter Todd Frankel did to look at the roots of current Apple CEO Tim Cook.