• 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.

1946: The ENIAC computer begins operating.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

15 February 1946: The ENIAC computer begins operating. Photo is of Jean Jennings (left) and Frances Bilas set up the ENIAC in 1946. Bilas is arranging the program settings on the Master Programmer. Courtesy of University of Pennsylvania and used in the article - "The Forgotten Female Programmers Who Created Modern Tech." To read the full article - see the link at the end of the page.

There is also a link to an educational video (via Bing) regarding how ENIAC came to be.

Below is an excerpt about the ENIAC from an article, "Top Intelligence Agency Supercomputers," by David Brown. Click the link at the end of the page to view the full article.

During World War II, the Army commissioned the first general-purpose electronic computer. Described to the press as a “giant brain” (how else would you describe a computer to a world that had never before seen one?), ENIAC cost $6 million in today’s dollars, weighed 30 tons and took up 1800 square feet, which is about the size of a house. Anecdotally, it used so much electricity to operate that each time it was switched on, it caused lights in Philadelphia to dim.

The system was developed to calculate artillery firing tables for the Ballistic Research Laboratory, but when scientists from the Manhattan Project found out about it, they co-opted the system to run calculations for the Bomb.

Read the full article via the link below.

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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.