Cryptologic Bytes

"On This Date in History" Calendar

1865: First US patent for cipher device to Edwin H. Hawley

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

On 11 July 1865, the first US patent was granted for a cipher device to Signal Corps Sergeant Edwin H. Hawley, for multiple alphabetic device which was a fan-like set of 26 wooden tablets, each with a different ciphertext alphabet on it, designed for use with a keyword. Info per David Kahn's book, "The Codebreakers."

VISIT THE ARCHIVES

Check out the Cryptologic Bytes Archives for a wide variety of articles on all topics related to cryptology, codes and ciphers, related publications, Museums, and more.