| [. . .] Six months ago I initiated research into John F. Byrne's "Chaocipher" machine device, launching a web site dedicated to this fascinating historical cipher. My site can be found at http://www.mountainvistasoft.com/chaocipher. Information about the history of the Chaocipher machine device, as well as Chaocipher references in the open literature, can be found on that site. The open literature refers numerous times to the fact that John F. Byrne met, and was in postal contact, with Major Frank Moorman and William F. Friedman in 1922 regarding the "Chaocipher" device. At the time, William F. Friedman was employed as a civilian cryptanalyst at the Military Intelligence Division, War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington. Apparently, Byrne was very keen on interesting the military in adopting his device. Like many other claims by inventors regarding its indecipherability, the device was probably unsuited for practical usage. John F. Byrne's Chaocipher device was never adopted by any cryptologic agency, much to Byrne's chagrin and frustration. In 1953 he published a book, entitled Silent Years, in which he presented a long Chaocipher cipher challenge to the cryptologic community at large. His challenge was never solved. I would like to ask if NSA: (a) Has any information about Byrne's meetings with officials like Moorman, Friedman, etc. in 1922 or at any other time regarding his "Chaocipher" device (b) Has any technical information about the Chaocipher device and its analysis (c) Would be willing to declassify any information about the Chaocipher device that may reside in its records Thanking you in advance, Moshe Rubin |
