Cryptologic History

"On This Date in Cryptologic History" Calendar

1893: Laurance Safford born.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

22 October 1893: CAPT Laurance Safford, USN, father of American naval cryptology, was born. Captain Safford established the Naval cryptologic organization after World War I, and headed the effort more or less constantly until shortly after the Japanese attach on Pearl Harbor. His identification with the Naval effort was so close that he was 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.

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