1817 Wadsworth Cypher Device
- Susan
- Oct 18, 2023
- 1 min read
Well, this was an unusual request - it is not often that art conservators are called upon to assist the National Security Agency! This object was desired for a special exhibit at the National Cryptologic Museum (https://www.nsa.gov/museum/).
The Hamden Historical Society has long been the owner of this encryption machine - the first documented device of its type. Developed by Decius Wadsworth in 1817, a full 50 years before the invention of a similar device.
The device needed some structural work, repair to the wood case, and a good cleaning!
