This is a WWII, Federal Bureau of Investigation produced photograph
of a message being "cracked" by an FBI cipher analyst. On the actual
photo, the message is readable and is shown to be a very simple, single
substitution cipher - obviously staged for the occasion. Note the cipher
machine seen at the analyst's left side. It has 24, two-sided sliding alphabet
"sticks" held in a tray and retained by clear plastic covers. Each stick
has the letters of the alphabet in ascending order while the other side
of the sticks have the alphabet in descending order. The crypto device
is propped up against a Spanish dictionary. Also evident is a copy of the
Revised Edition of Ueda's Daijiten (a rather intense Japanese dictionary)
in the original photograph which measures 4 by 4.75 inches. (Photo
and copy courtesy of an unidentified seller on E-bay).
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| This unique mug has the NSA logo on one side and an encrypted message
on the other. When you put hot coffee or tea in the mug, it displays the
plain message. (Photo via E-bay). |
