"On This Date in Cryptologic History" Calendar
1973: Laurance Safford, father of naval cryptology, died.
16 May 1973: CAPT Laurance Safford, USN, father of naval cryptology, died. Captain Safford established the Naval cryptologic organization after World War I, and headed the effort more or less constantly until shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His identification with the Naval cryptologic effort was so close that he was often referred to as the Friedman of the Navy.
Laurance Safford was inducted into the NSA Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 1999. Read more about his life and accomplishments via his Hall of Honor page on the NSA site via the link below.
