A History of Secrecy
Before the Digital Age
Today's digital security has its roots in physical encryption that dates back at least 2000 years. This program discusses eleven of the classic ciphers starting with the Spartan Scytale of 200 BCE, moving through to the Alberti and Vigenère ciphers of the 14th and 15th centuries, and ending with the German Enigma Machine of World War II. Attendees use vintage ciphers and signal devices to encrypt, send, receive, and decrypt messages.
See my image carousel in the next section for a visual tour of the devices available in this program.
PRESENTATION
Want to get a Top Secret look at history's greatest ciphers?
Crack the code of A History of Secrecy: The Age of Analog Encryption Presentation
Download the Program Description/Common Core Map
See what our Partners have to say about this program and others in our Testimonials.
Ciphers & Signalers COLLECTION for Hands-On Exploration
See my hands-on collection of reproduced historical ciphers as well as my vintage signaling devices. My program kit includes 2 of each type of cipher, 4 telegraph signalers, 4 flash signalers, and 2 semaphore flags. Click on any photo to learn more about a device. Use the arrows at the left and right to move to different photos or simply allow the photos to scroll automatically.
Delivery Requirements, Logistics & fees
| Age Range: 8/9-Adult/Senior |
| Participants: 4-30 |
| Requirements: Projector, Screen, and Speakers ; 8 large tables, 4 chairs each ; paper and pencils for each attendee | Makerspace Additional Requirements: Scissors ; Brass Fasteners ; 2 additional large tables |
| Setup/Breakdown: 1.5 hours each |
| Contact for details |
In-Person Delivery Options
1.0 hour Option: Presentation Only
\\\ $269+travel \\\
1.5 hour Option: Presentation + Guided Hands-on Display of Select Ciphers
\\\ $349+travel \\\
Makerspace 3.0 hour Option: Presentation + Hands-on Interactive Use of All Ciphers + Cipher build
\\\ $399+travel \\\
➤ LIVESTREAM DELIVERY OPTION
Livestream via your Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, WebEx, or other system
1.0 hour Option: Presentation Only
\\\ $209 \\\
Funding Options
Look into the Funding Options to help bring STEMpunk programming to your school or organization.
““This was great! My friends and I are going to make our own texting app ciphers now!””
““My favorite part was using the old telegraph sets to send and receive messages.””
