History of cryptography

The history of cryptography dates back thousands of years, and for the most part, it has been the history of classical cryptography; that is, methods of encryption which can be performed using pen and paper (or perhaps with simple mechanical aids). In the early 1900s, the invention of several complex mechanical and electromechanical machines, such as the Enigma rotor machine, allowed the use of more sophisticated and efficient methods of encryption, and the introduction of electronics and computing allowed elaborate schemes of even greater complexity.

Related Topics:
Cryptography - Classical cryptography - Encryption - 1900s - Machine - Enigma - Rotor machine - Electronics - Computing

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There has also been a parallel history of cryptanalysis, that is, the breaking of codes and ciphers. From the early discovery of frequency analysis, the consequences of reading an adversary's communications has often proved to be profound. For example, the Zimmermann Telegram triggered the entrance of the United States into World War I, and the Allied breaking of Nazi Germany's ciphers may have shortened World War II by as much as two years.

Related Topics:
Cryptanalysis - Frequency analysis - Zimmermann Telegram - United States - World War I - Allied - Nazi Germany - World War II

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Until the 1970s, secure cryptography was the sole preserve of governments. Two events brought cryptography into the public domain: the creation of a public encryption standard (DES); and the invention of public-key cryptography.

Related Topics:
1970 - Government - DES - Public-key cryptography

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