Chaocipher
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The chaocipher is a cipher machine created by J.F. Byrne, the author of the book Silent Years[1], a biography. He thought that the chaocipher was simple, yet unbreakable. The machine he uses to encrypt his messages can be fit into a cigar box. He offered cash rewards for anyone who could solve it. To this day, no one has solved this challenge.
[edit] What's known
With what Byrne has said about this machine, all of his messages are enciphered through a transposition cipher. The chaocipher machine, then, only rearranges the letters, instead of substituting them.
The machine is like a "typewriter", using "two revolving disks with the alphabets arranged along the periphery in a complete disorder." Henry E. Langen[2], editor of The Cryptogram during that time, was confused about that. "With only two disks used; I am a bit confused as to how this can result in such utter chaotification of the plaintext message."
At least three people know how it works: Byrne's son, and two of the editors of Cryptologia during 1990[3]. Byrne, however, is now dead, so his secret is lost with him.
[edit] References
- ^ Dunin, Elonka. "Famous Unsolved Codes and Ciphers." Elonka.com. 04 May 2007. 10 Aug 2007 <http://elonka.com/UnsolvedCodes.html>
- ^ Byrne, John. "Chaocipher Enters the Computer Age when its Method is Disclosed to CRYPTOLOGIA’S Editors." Selections from Cryptologia: History, People, and Technology. 01 Feb 1998. Cryptologia. 10 Aug 2007 <http://www.lllll.biz/crypt/ch02/317-320.html>
- ^ ?, ?. "The Tragic Story of J.F. Byrne." PurpleHunt.com. 1998. 17 Aug 2007 <http://www.purplehunt.com/byrne.htm>.
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