Cryptologic Bytes

2 March 1971: On this date in 1971, cryptologic pioneer Colonel Parker Hitt died. He was inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2011. Read about his career and accomplishments in the NSA Cryptologic Hall of Honor entry about Parker Hitt via the link below.

Hitt's work, "The Manual for the Solution of Military Ciphers," published in 1916, was the first work of its kind in the United States in 100 years and laid the foundation for the nation's impressive cryptologic achievements during the 20th century. At a time when the nation had no formal cryptologic service, Parker Hitt's innovative work documented concepts and principles that would be used to protect U.S. military communications for decades. His work also directly influenced William and Elizebeth Friedman, who referred to him as the "father of modern American cryptology."

Colonel Hitt's wife Genevieve Young Hitt (who had knack for cipher work) has been credited with assisting in the preparation and compilation of her husband's seminal work - "The Manual for the Solution of Military Ciphers" (mentioned above). Learn more about Genevieve Young Hitt via the link below.

You can also learn more about Col. Parker Hitt by reading Betsy Rohaly Smoot's book - "Parker Hitt: The Father of American Military Cryptology." See link below to learn about the book.