• EDUCATE
    EDUCATE

    ...our citizens to be cyber smart, and develop pathways for the future cyber workforce.

  • ENGAGE
    ENGAGE

    ...and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues.

  • COMMEMORATE
    COMMEMORATE

    ...our cryptologic history & those who served within the cryptologic community.

THE NCF VISION

Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology through leadership, education, and partnerships.

1860: Albert J. Myer, developer of flag "wig-wag" code appointed Signal Officer.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

On 27 June 1860, Maj. Albert J. Myer, founder of the "wig-wag," or aerial telegraphy, flag signaling system, was appointed first chief of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Myer's flag "wig-wag" code was first used in the first Battle of Bull Run or Battle of First Manassas. The code was used extensively by both the Union and Confederate armies throughout the war.

Myer designed the flag signaling system when working in American Indian territory in the 1850s. He noticed Native Americans communicating across long distances by waving staffs to each other. Adding a flag to the staff and then a square on the flag so that it could be better seen, the system came to be accepted as the line of site communication system used extensively during the Civil War by Union and Confederate forces. Ironically, it was first used at the Battle of First Manassas by Edward Porter Alexander, who was Myer's aide who helped develop the system before the war. During the battle, Alexander positioned himself at a signal station on what is now known as Signal Hill. When he saw a flash of light reflecting from a brass cannon, he saw the impending movements of the enemy. Federal troops were about to flank Col. Nathan G. Evans of South Carolina. Alexander grabbed a signal flag and sent a message to Evans, "Look to your left, you are turned," thus indicating that the colonel's regiment was going to be flanked on his left. After receiving this message, Evans took the necessary movement to defend against the Union's flanking attack.

See links at the end of this page to NCMF Acquisitions related to Civil War signaling, NCM Civil War Signal Exhibit, and other related links.

About Myer - from Wikipedia: Myer engaged in private medical practice in Florida and then sought a commission as a U.S. Army assistant surgeon (lieutenant), entering service September 18, 1854, posted at Fort Duncan, Texas, and Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County, Texas. His major interest of the time, besides medicine, was to devise a system of signaling across long distances, using simple codes and lightweight materials. This system of codes using a single signal flag (or a lantern or kerosene torch at night), known as wig-wag signaling or aerial telegraphy, would be adopted and used by both sides in the Civil War and afterward.

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  • The first hire at SIS was Annie Louise Newkirk, hired as a cryptographic clerk. Interesting note, when a phone call came in for someone working in the vault room, Ms. Newkirk would buzz the back room using a Morse code equivalent for the first initial of the individual's name. In honor of Women's History Month - click to learn about more female cryptologic pioneers!

About Us

The NCF's Vision is to strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem.

The NCF Mission: Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology as we:

Educate citizens to be cyber smart individuals, 

Develop pathways for the future cyber and cryptologic workforce, 

Engage and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues and, 

Commemorate our cryptologic history and those who served. 

The Foundation provides exceptional cryptologic programs, encourages young minds to learn about cryptology and to explore cyber-related career opportunities, hosts educational, cryptology-related exhibits at various community events, and honors the people— past and present—whose contributions to our national security protect and make possible our way of life.

The NCF also provides needed support to the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM), the first public museum in the U.S. Intelligence Community. Located adjacent to the National Security Agency (NSA) in Maryland, the NCM houses a unique and priceless collection of artifacts that represent our Nation's history in code making and code breaking, as well as a world class library of cryptologic media. The NCF has acquired rare and invaluable artifacts for the Museum and helps to support new educational and interactive exhibits.

The NCF is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Learn more about our MISSION, VISION, and VALUES.