| Not only children even the grown-ups are | | | | careful that the sender's and receiver's |
| fascinated by invisible ink and like to use | | | | sticks are exactly the same size. For this |
| secret code. In this article you will find | | | | purpose, two pieces of the same broomstick |
| how to encode the secret code. | | | | are ideal. |
| | | | |
| Ciphering or encoding means making a piece of | | | | If you are the one who is sending the |
| writing incomprehensible to those who are not | | | | message, wrap a strip of paper around the rod |
| in on the secret. Deciphering or decoding is | | | | so that the edges touch each other, and |
| the reverse process. A code is a table of | | | | fasten the ends with thumbtacks. Then, write |
| words, abbreviations, numbers, or other | | | | the message along the rod, turning it a bit |
| symbols which can be substituted for words. | | | | after each line. To send the message, simply |
| You can even combine different symbols | | | | take off the strip and roll it up. Anyone |
| according to your needs. | | | | intercepting the message will rack his brains |
| | | | trying to figure it out. But the intended |
| Most people already know some simple codes. | | | | receiver merely has to wrap the strip around |
| Perhaps you're familiar with the code which | | | | his half of the stick, and he can read the |
| is created by reversing the alphabet Z is | | | | message without any trouble. |
| substituted for A, Y for B, and so on. Or | | | | |
| there is the code that simply uses numbers | | | | Chessboard Code |
| instead of letters, starting at any letter of | | | | |
| the alphabet and going backward or forward. | | | | The accompanying illustration gives a key for |
| | | | a code that substitutes two numbers for every |
| You can make such simple codes more difficult | | | | letter. The letter "I" has been omitted |
| if you combine them. For example, you might | | | | because it can be confused with the number 1, |
| replace the first and last letters of a word | | | | and you may substitute "x" or any other |
| by the letters immediately following them in | | | | letter of your choice. First find the letter |
| the alphabet. It is a good idea to break up | | | | you want, then the number in the column to |
| long words into two parts when using this | | | | the left, and finally the number in the row |
| code. | | | | at the top. Always write the number from the |
| | | | left column first. In this code, the words |
| We are waiting for you XF BRF XAITINH GOS ZOV | | | | MEET ME AT THE SEASHORE would read: 82656594 |
| | | | 8265 6194 947365 9365619373849265. |
| In addition, you could also encode the result | | | | |
| with an alphabet of numbers. | | | | To make it harder for outsiders to break the |
| | | | code, you can divide the numbers into random |
| Typewriter Code | | | | groups. The receiver will know that each pair |
| | | | of numbers represents one letter. In this |
| If you know how to touch type with all ten | | | | case, a comma was placed between two words: |
| fingers, you can construct a code by typing | | | | |
| from a different basic position. For example, | | | | 8 265/6594, 8 265 61-9 4 947 3-65/, 936 5619/ |
| instead of resting your left fingers on asdf | | | | 373 84 92 65. The other signs are there just |
| and the right on jkl, shift them a line up on | | | | to confuse the outsiders. |
| the keyboard to qwer and uiop. Thus, when you | | | | |
| typewait for usit comes out: | | | | Another such code uses two letters for each |
| | | | letter of the message. Use any consonants at |
| 2q85 r94 7w. | | | | the left; put the vowels at the top. Using |
| | | | this key, VACATION would come out |
| Strip Writing | | | | RABABIBAGORIFOFI. The same sorts of |
| | | | complications to prevent interception of the |
| You do not need a key to read or write this | | | | message can be used here as with the other |
| remarkable code. All that is necessary is a | | | | example. |
| rod or a stick. However, you have to be | | | | |