National Cryptologic Museum

Today in History: November 6, 1944, Joseph Wenger became the head of OP-20-G, the US Navy’s cryptographic unit during WWII. His leadership played a pivotal role in advancing codebreaking efforts that helped turn the tide of the war.

Wenger’s brilliance and dedication to cryptography are part of a legacy that continues to inspire the world of intelligence and cybersecurity today.

More on the Hall of Honor Inductee: https://www.nsa.gov/History/Cryptologic-History/Historical-Figures/Historical-Figures-View/Article/1622379/rear-admiral-joseph-n-wenger-usn/

On November 9th, join us for our 10th Annual STEM Festival, proudly part of the Maryland STEM Festival! 🌟

Get ready for a day packed with more than a dozen hands-on activities that dive into the amazing worlds of security, cyber, engineering, math, and computer science. 🤖

Here’s just a taste of what’s in store:
🔌 Layer Circuits: Unleash your inner engineer!
📡 Send Messages with Flags: Become a communication pro!
🔒 Test Your Password Strength: Is your password up to the challenge?
🤖 Play with Robots: Discover the basics of robotics!
🔧 Explore Wired Rotors: See how they work in action!
🌍 Dive into Languages: Unravel the mysteries of communication!

Meet industry professionals, engage in fun activities, and delve into our fascinating cryptologic history. This event is FREE and perfect for kids of all ages! 🎈
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators! Mark your calendars and join us for a day of exploration and fun!

https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/News-Highlights/Article/Article/3918349/stem-fest-engineering-ideas-into-reality/

🔍✨ What an amazing day at Spencerville Adventist Academy's STEM Fest!

We had a blast with the students as they explored the fascinating world of ciphers and codebreaking. 💻🔑 From cracking the Enigma Machine to diving into the history of the Jefferson Ciphers, the energy and curiosity in was contagious!

A huge thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and to the school for hosting such an incredible event!

Want to learn more? Check out our education and scout programs that inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders!
https://www.nsa.gov/History/National-Cryptologic-Museum/Museum-Tours/

🌟 Plus, don't forget our BIG event this Saturday – STEMFest from 10 AM - 4 PM! Bring your family and friends for a day packed with interactive activities, exciting demonstrations, and tons of fun!

⏱️COUNTDOWN TO STEM Fest!: We’re proud to partner with the Maryland STEM Festival for the 10th consecutive year!

Don't miss your chance to explore the latest innovations and breakthroughs in the STEM fields. 🧑‍🔬

STEM Fest is free and open to the public!

STEM Fest: Engineering Ideas Into Reality Join the National Cryptologic Museum for the 10th Annual STEM Fest! Explore a world of discovery where science, technology, engineering and math come together!

🎃✨ This Halloween, our museum is haunted by some legendary figures!

Meet our Curator, dressed as the brilliant Elizebeth Smith Friedman, armed with a Shakespearean book and tales of infamous "rum runners" behind bars. 📚🍷

And who’s that alongside her? Our Associate Director of Education has channeled the spirit of Edward Hebern, she even "stole" a horse! 🐎

Join us as we celebrate the mysterious world of cryptology and the colorful characters who shaped it.

✨From psychics to extraterrestrial communication, new exhibits at the National Cryptologic Museum will have you scratching your head. 🤔

With exhibit labels like "Mind over Matter" and "What the What?", Museum visitors will go from, “What in the world?” to “What if?” 🤯

New Exhibits at the National Cryptologic Museum: Unlock your Curiosity! From psychics to extraterrestrial communication, new temporary and permanent exhibits at the National Cryptologic Museum will have you scratching your head.

This week, we remember the incredible legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, especially as we mourn the passing of one of their own.

On October 26, 1918, these brave warriors made history with their first combat deployment, using their unique language to create an unbreakable code during World War I. Their contributions were vital, enabling secure communication that gave American forces a significant edge on the battlefield.

With the recent passing of 107 year-old John Kinsel Sr., a WWII Code Talker there are two surviving heroes from this elite group.

Let’s honor their legacy and the profound impact they’ve had on history!

🔍Imagine a game-changing piece of technology taking shape in the 1990's, the Senior Scout System. The U.S. Air Force SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) System that was ingeniously designed to snugly fit inside the cargo bay of a C-130 airplane, turning the aircraft into a powerful surveillance tool.

To make this transformation possible, the C-130 underwent a remarkable makeover, complete with specially engineered landing gear and rear doors equipped with advanced antennas. Picture a dedicated team working tirelessly, turning a standard transport plane into a high-tech reconnaissance machine...in just 48 hours!

This rapid modification not only showcased the ingenuity of military engineering but it revolutionized aerial reconnaissance, setting a new standard for operations. It’s a fascinating blend of innovation and practicality that continues to impact how missions are carried out today!

Watch our Collections Manager and Librarian go in depth!

This section of Senior Scout Number 3 was donated by the Utah Air National Guard’s 169th intelligence squadron.

NCM Artifact Spotlight: Senior Scout The National Cryptologic Museum's Spencer Allenbaugh and Rob Simpson go inside the Senior Scout intelligence gathering compartment to discuss its use and how...

🤔Did you ? We gave you this enciphered message with two hints.

HINT 1: Combine the Baudot Code (1888) for the Keyword “CUBAN MISSLE CRISIS” to the cipher group to recover the Baudot Code for the plain text

HINT 2: If the cipher and key (character by character) are the same (+/+ or -/-) the result is +. If they are different (+/- or -/+), the result is -.
Cipher: + - + - +
Key: + - + + -
Plain will be: + + + - - which is O

SOLUTION: Our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication of right

Did you solve it correctly?

🧐 Can you ? Here's another hint!

If the cipher and key (character by character) are the same (+/+ or -/-) the result is +.

If they are different (+/- or -/+), the result is -.

Cipher: + - + - +
Key: + - + + -
Plain will be: + + + - - which is O

🧐Can you ?

Here’s a Hint: Combine the Baudot Code (1888) for the Keyword “CUBAN MISSLE CRISIS” to the cipher group to recover the Baudot Code for the plain text.

The National Cryptologic Museum mourns the loss of Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel Sr. who died over the weekend at 107.

Kinsel served in the Marines during WWII, helping to save thousands of lives by creating unique codes and baffling the enemy with secure voice communications. The Code Talkers provided absolute security and speed of encryption and decryption when seconds counted on the battlefield.

The Native American Code Talkers were the first group to be inducted (as a whole entity) into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor.

We honor the life of John Kinsel Sr., a true American hero.

Honoring Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel Sr. 🇺🇸

The National Museum of the Marine Corps joins the Navajo Nation in mourning the passing of John Kinsel Sr., a heroic Navajo Code Talker who served during World War II. John Kinsel Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 107, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and service.

As one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, his contributions were vital to the success of U.S. forces in the Pacific Theater, using the Navajo language to create an unbreakable code that helped secure victory. His courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

https://navajotimes.com/reznews/navajo-code-talker-john-kinsel-sr-passes-away-at-107/

Ever wondered how the U.S. used psychic abilities to gather top-secret intel? 🕵️‍
Step into the fascinating world of remote viewers and see their incredible visions side-by-side with actual landscapes! 🌍🔮

It’s mind-blowing (to say the least)! 🤯

Come explore how the impossible...might just be possible. 😲

Meet the scanner, a modern marvel in security technology. This tactical radio provides secure communications for soldiers and military personnel.

Its advanced capabilities showcase the ongoing evolution of and data protection.

Stop by the to find out more about how encrypted messages keep our military safe.

🧐 GUESS THE ARTIFACT| Take a look at this zoomed in photo. Can you guess what it is? Here's a hint: This was used to enable secure communications. Swipe for the answer!

Solution: The KSD-64 was the key that housed the custom chip for storing and transferring key values. Like a car key, this Crypto Ignition Key (CIK) would unlock a secure voice system like a STU-III.

Did you guess correctly?