, 

ABBREVIATED HISTORY 

OF 

SPmIAL CRYPTOLOGIC ADVISORY GROUP 

(SCAG) 

FEBRUARY 19Sl ""' FEBRUARY 19$2 

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pproved for release by 

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ABBREVIATED HISTORY OF SCAG 

lo In Februal"Y' 19Sl the idea emerged that. al.though the Armed Forces' S~ty Agmcy (AF!JA) had acquired in its year and a half o:t existence a 

highly competent am experienced statt 1 nevertheless the services or a 

definite group of outstanding technical ccnsultants in certain fields of 

interest to AF~;A ~«>uld provide a valuable solll"Ce or advice an:i assistance 

in meeting special problem.so . . 2. An agreement was therefore reached in Karch 19Sl between the Chair .. 

man or the Research and Development Joarct (RDB) .11 Dr. ~-J'illiam \./ebster,, and 

the Director, Ai.t,SA, RAm-.'1- Carl E. stone, u.s. Navy, \fllereby RDJ would provide 

the necessary r .mds tor the support of such· a group of s")8Cialists (to be 

designated the Special Cryptologic Advisory Group or SCAG), ant AFJA would 

maintain the technical records and provide the appropriate assistance. Mr. 

Fdwin A. Speakman or HDd was designated. by Dr. tvabster to assist representatives o£ AFSA in working out necessary details. As an initial program tor 

the group,, it was decruled to begin with a course of familiarisation ot members 

with AFSA1s organi~tion, tasks, problems, and accomplishments, after which 

the views o£ members would be sought to how they might, both collectively ancl 

ilJdiVidually, best provide the advice am assistance needed by AFSA. 

. ..3o Thfl first meeting of SCAG, held 4-S June 19Sl. at the Haval Security 

Station, Washington, D. C. am at Arlihgton Hall Sta'tl.on, Arlingt.ona Virginia, 

was attended by eight prominent scientists: 

.,, ,r ~ 

Dr. Stewart s. Cairns ti! University ot Dljnois 

Mr. Joseph R. Desch - National Cash Register Coq 

Dr!' Howard E. Engstrom - Ellgineering Research Ass. 

Mr. John C'P McPherson - Int81'Dat.ional. Business Machines 

Dro John von Naumann - The Institute for Advanced Study 

, , , . Drq Ro K. Potter - Bell- T'&l.ephona Laboratories .. , _ . Dro Olalde E. Sha.nnRn .... , Bell Telephone Laboratories ''.·,·,~.~Dr. Charles B. Tompj<}.?,~ - George Washington UniVarsil;y 

The program tor the first meeting. inclmed. orientation or the members of 

SCAG on AFSA organization and technical problems am a tour of' the analytic 

machinery at both stationso Captain J. s. Harper, USN, Chief, Office ot 

Research and Development, AFSA,. was designated as 1ihe of'.ticial contact of 

AFSA with SCAG members. 

4o At the secord meeting of SCAG,, held 10 July 19.Sl, members of the 

Group made individual visits to working sections or AFSA and held discussions 

1li th technieal personnel. on specific problem in their field of' int.eras,. 

5. Between the secord meeting or SCAG (July 19Sl) and the third meetil.ng 

(Sej>tember 1951) various Enlggeations ware ma.de how SCAG could function most 

profitably tor AFSA and with most convenience to its memberso These suggestions includech 

a 0 SCAO should be di.v:Lderl into two sub•groupsfa one tor mathematical. ~lams am one tor eng!D~~ 1

problaas. This sugges on was vetOed on tBi 

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ground that ~ of the problems considered by SCAG involve close collaboration between the mathematicians and the eng:Lneerso Concentration of manbers 

on particular Jm>blems in their own field was not, of course, precludedo 

b. The organization of SCAG should be to1"Dlalized. The consensus 

imicated tha'E the greatest contribu'bion of sCAd members fiO the problems ot 

AFSA would probably be ot an indi.Yidual nature ard that any tormalized 

organization ot SCAG should in no wa:r inhibit personal consultation or 

im.tiatiw in attacking technical problemso It was agreed• however, that 

some torma1 organisation would be desirable, including a secretariat to provide minutes of discussl.ons • 

. Co Special problems should 'be given tile members of SCAG, with time 

and opportuni\7 provid8d t.O d!Scuss 'ii!fl'l each 'othir iiid With iiiiiiilSers ot AFSA 

the problems which were seto 

d. A counterpart ot SCAG within AFSA should be established, consisting ot irn persons a!v:taea into panits tor special smjec'Es. 

•· Frian:ll7 social relations or SCAG members with AFSA persomiel 

should be esta&n~ thus illorcb.ng oppoi'tUD!£y ana s'E1iiiiiiation 'EOWard the 

soiu'E'ion ot AFSA proD ans. 

ta More members should be added to the group, chosen by cC111mOn 

agreement. among members of SCAG, With 'Ebe approviI of the Director, AFSAo 

6. At this time RADM stone suggested that an attempt be made to establish, on the mode1 of the Board of Visitors at the UoSe Naval Acadany, a 

small,, select group 0£ out.standing men who might give advice and general. 

guidance to AFSA•s ettort. The names ot Dr. Webster• retiring Chairman, RDB, 

RADM (net.) Joseph R. Redman, and Dr. Vannevar Bush were proposed as possible 

choices tor membership on this Board. The close of Admiral stone•s tour of 

duty as Director, AFSA brought this plan to at least a temporary endingo 

7. As a result ot the above suggestions, steps were taken between the 

secmcl and third meetings of SCAG toward its tomallzationo Such a step was 

the election at the end ot the second meeting or Dr, Howard To Engstroms ERA,, 

as Chairman of SCAG. At the request of SCAG members., Dr. Engstrom prepared 

tor discussion '1t the nex.t meeting a statement of the missim of SCAG {attached 

as AppendiX A) and the task priorit.1.es of AFSA (attached as Appendix B). 

80 At the third meeting ot SCAG, held 12-13 September 19Sl, meni>ers 

were presented to Dr. Walter Whitman, Who had succeeded Dr. Webster as Chair· 

man, RDB. and to Major General Ralph J. Canine who had succeeded RADM Stone 

as Director, AfSA. It was announced that for the present no counterpart or 

SCAG would be formed within AFSA1 t.hat Mr. William F • Friedman had been 

appointed .AFSA representative tor SCAG members, am that as 11cover11 outside 

AFSA the designation SCAG would be um erstood to refer to 11Special Cmnmunicatlons Advisory Groupo" Matters of an organization and technical na'Eure a:tS. 

cussid at the third meeting weres 

&o statement of t.he mission ot SCAGs It was decided that the 

statement as prepariil b;y the Cbili'liia:ii shoUld be amplified by a more detailed 

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statement ot the mechanics by 't-ilich SCAG could best carey out its missiono 

The Chairman ot SCAG and Mr. John Howard were delegated to dratt such a 

supplement. 

b. statement or task priorities1 Although it was generally agreed 

that the task pnorllles hid been correctly set, it was al.so the opinion that 

the problems were closely inter-related and that it would_. therefore, be 

dif'f'icul.t to consider them separately. The Chairman pointed out that one of 

the primary purposes in drawing the statemerm or task priorities had been to 

nemit SCAG members to devote their time to individual problems in their field 

of interest. A£ter general discussion, however• it appeared t.ha t the SCAG mem~ preferred to consider the problars as a whole. 

c. Additional members: The names ot approx1.JD9tely 20 scientists 

were proposed as possible new memberso A memership commi~tea, consisting 

of the Chairman• Dr. Robertson. and Mr. McPherson was appointed to consid.er 

the Jroblem ot additional membership. 

d. Board of Visitorsr The desirability ot establishing a Boal'd ot 

Visitors was drOpped from discussion as being outside the province of SCAG. 

a. Intercept: The etfect ot quality am quantity ot traffic on 

analytic success was discussed. Although the major djfficuJ.t;y appearai to 

be centered in the personnel problem, the technical possibilities of late 

developments in such fields as search receivers am antenna designs were 

pointed. out. Dr. Potter ot Bell telephone Laboratories was asked to determine 

whether SCAG shoul.d give this prohl.em its further consideration. 

f 41 U1tra-high speeQ. electronics: In order to fulfill AFSA1s 

excessive requ!rWWWs !or Uifi:liI@i speed computation., it was recommended 

that AFSA undertake a program of basic research into ultra-high speed 

electronics. 

g. Methods ot exhaustion or scritching: Since methods ot exhaustion or scritch!ng iri connection with W11'!iig .recovery 1mre subject U> abstract 

exposition, it was recommenied that AFSA prepare an abstract of this problem 

on a SECREl' level tor consideration by SCAG. 

ho Wheel simulation arr:i bombing: It was rec011111811ied that a report 

on the nwnerous methoa:s suggested for 'WheeJ. silllllla ti.on and bombing be prepared for review by Sc:AG • 

1. Plain language recognition: The problem of plain language recognition in cormec'Elon wifii bombing am other techniques was re£erred to 

Drs. Potter an:i. Shannon f'or consideration. 

9. In the months following this meeting the question AFSA•s position 1n 

regard to basic research was crystallized in a letter written JO October 1951 

by Dro Charles B. Tompkins of George Washington University to the Chairman• 

SOAG, suggesting that "the SCAG contr:Lb~on. at least in ma.thematics. could 

be materially strengthened by arranging for soma time-consuming research by 

members and possibly others in congenial surroundings." Such a research 

facility, he thought,, could be established on a year-rouul basis by means ot 

a contract between the Director of Central Intelligence and the Rand Corporation• Santa Monica, Calital'Dia. . 

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lOo Within AFSA there were varioUtil reactions to this proposalo Although 

it was realized that dist.met long.term advantages might accrue from the 

proposed arrangement, there were disadvantages from the point or view of 

availability of qualified scientists, compliance with Civii Service Regulations,, control of the project by CIA, location in California, am the shartterm value of such a projecto It was suggested that the solution to many or 

AFSA•s complex problems might be ad.vane~ rather by such internal measures 

as .an increase in the number of high-level positions open both to AFSA members 

and to newcomers, a raising of the stamard of AFSA facilities am surroundings, 

protection ot the scientists trom administrative details, and gearing ot the 

administrative .functions to the ef'.ficient per.romance o£ tasks. 

11. At the fourth meeting or SCAG, 6 Decenber 19Sl, SCAG authorized its 

Chairman to address a letter to the Director, AFSA, suggesting that AFSA 

appoint a committee to investigate the possibilities of implementing a program of baeic research, by contract or otherwise, and to delineate ii! general 

tams the nature of this JE"Ogram. 

12Q In connect.ion with the proposed program Dr. Tompkins representing 

SCAG and members of the MathematiQal Division ot the Office ot Research ard 

Development representing AFSA drew up lists of installations where such basic 

research might be conductedp AFSA•s survey inclmed. also (a) contracts 

already let; (b) subjects suitabl~ £or further contracts; and (c) potential 

contractors. 

l.). At the close 0£ its first year ot existence, it seemed appropriate 

tor SCAG to draw far the Director, .AFSA, the Chairman, RDB, a report on its 

accomplishments and recommendations. Members were theref'ore asked to assembl.e 

in a private opening session at. the tUth meeting, to. be held 12-13 March 19S2, 

to consider basic topics and questions from which such a reporli might be 

drawnq These' questions, as outlined by Mr. Spealanan in a letter to members 

ot SCAG, are attached as Appendix Co 

140 Upon the answers to these questions rested in large measure AFSA' s 

future course in scientific researcho 

lSo A list of the mmri>ers of SCAG as ot March 19.$2 is attached as 

Appendix Da 

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~:htKtr1· APPENDIX A 

12 September 19Sl 

Mission or the ~~cial Cryptol.ogic Advis017 Group (SCAG) 

lo The Special Cryptologic Ad.Visory Group ( SCAO) was set up by the 

Research and Develo;ment Boal'd at the suggestion of the Armed 

Forces Security Agency. Its fundamental objective is to provide advice and assistance to the Armed Forces Security Agency in 

meeting special problems in the general tiald of communications 

intelligence. In vlaw or its statutory responsibilities in the 

whole tie:i.d ot intelligence,, the Central Intelligence Agency has 

8XpNSSad a deep interest in SCAG. 

2 o The members of SCAG are as tollowsr 

Dr. Stewart Cairns, University of Illinois. 

Mro Joseph E. Desch,, National Cash Register Companyo 

Dr. H. T. Engstrom, Engineering Research Associates, Inco 

Mr. John Ho Howard,, Jurroughs Adding Machine Comp&IV' 

Mro Jo Co McPherson, International 3usiness .Machines Corpo 

Dr. Ro Ko Potter, J3ell Telephone LaboraWies. 

Dro Ho Po Roberlson,, Central Intelligence Agencyo 

Dr. Clallie Shannon,, Bell Telephone Laboratories. 

Mr. E. Ao Speakman,, Research and Devalopnent .Ooazd. 

Dr. C,. il. Tompldns,, George Washington University. 

Dro John von Neumann,, Institute for Advanced Stud7. 

Princeton• Rew Jersey 

Mro \#ill.1am Webster• Former Chd.rman., Research and 

Developnent .Boal'do 

lo Members ot SCAG will be appointed jointJ.y" by the Chairman ot the 

Research and Developmant Board am the Director of AFSA, It is 

umerstood that the present SCAG members will consider needs tor 

additional membership and inak:e recommendations to the above agenm.eso 

la.a It is recognized that the problems facing AFSA 1n the field ot 

COJl'JDuniCations intellisence :u'G of great CompleJd.:t;;y ard of utmost 

importanceo The Special Cryptolo€P.,c Advisaey' Group was tomed tar 

the following purposes1 

. ao To proVide adVice and assistance to AFSA in meeting 

spe,cial problemso 

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b. To mdntain tamiliariv Hi.th taese special problems am 

make recommendations to AFSA ·in connection with thei:r 

solutiono 

Co To furnish intol'lll&tiOn on ad.varJCes in outside fields er 

interest to the special problems ot AFSAo 

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APPENDIX A 

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Sa The present membership or SCAG gives representation of the various 

technical fields involvad in the so1ution of these problems• such 

as mathamatl.cs, statistics, electronics and computJ.ng macb:1.nm7. 

SCAG membership also includes indiViduals who are familiar with 

the latest industrial progress in fields which may be applicable 

to these problemsa 

mt!Eit o. Wltmmt 

Chairman• Researoh am 

Developnent Board 

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RAtPH J. CANINE 

Major General• us AJ!l.ff1' 

Direetor9 Armed Foroes 

Security Ageney 

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APPENDIX C 

Questions in letter from Mro E. A. Speakman 

(l) How does SCAG feel it can help? Collectively or iDiividually? 

Is the concept or SCAG worthwhile? 

(2) Is SCAG properq constituted or organised? 

(3) .Are the members so in demaml b7 other agencies that their 

effort is diluted? 

(4) What can ba dona to facilitate the solution of the primary 

problem? 

(5) What additional requirements should be met (funds, buildings, 

sites, equipnant, personnel, etc.)? 

(6) Suggested future plans regal'ding AFSAo 

(7) Should outside contracts be let? It so, to what purpose 

and"extent? 

(8) To what extent and where should long term or basic research 

be conducted? 

(9) To 'Nbat extent could individual members contribute more 

time to AFSA problems? 

(10) Have SCAG members any ccmments or suggestions regarding 

AFB.A's organization for an attack on the major problem? 

(11) Other commentso 

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APPFNDIX D 

Names of Peraom Accepted as Members ot SCAG as ot December 19.$1 

CAIRNS, Stewart S. •University' 0£ lllinois 

DESCII1 Joseph Ro ... Rational Cash Register Company' 

J!l:GSTROM, Howard - &Jgimering Research Associates, Inc. 

HCWAHD. John ... Jurroughs Adding Machine Company 

McPHERSON, John c. - International .Uusiness Machines Corp. 

UEUMANN, John Von - The institute tor Advanced Study 

POST, Dean • Research .and Development iloard 

.PClTTER, Ralph K. • 1lell Telephone Laboratories 

ROJrliTSON, H. R. •Weapons S;ystems EValuat.ion Group 

Sl1Ai;HON1 Claude E. - Bell telephone Laboratories 

SPEAKMAN, F,dwin Ao • Research and Devalopmant; Boa:rd 

'l'O~~PKINS 1 Charles B. • George .~ashington University 

WFBSTER, William - New England Power CompanJ' 

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i?t 86-36/50 USC 3605 

STATlil•lENT OF TASK PRIORITIF.S FOR SCAG 

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Tba~ority under the main problem 1s the task 0£ recovering 

the This task is subdivided aa f'ollows 1 in order of importance sed upon probability ot results: 

l I Tb1s recoY817 ahauld prav111e additional 

intol'Jllation concerning the basic macbineo The type of in· 

.f"ormation am. how to f'im it is considered of highes\ pr:lorityo 

........,,_ __ --,.-___,... ________ _.I Results of this test should 

be examinedo 

ause o e arge n 

o a s l.nV v • e pro em Of mechanizing these methods 

is ot great importanceo One solution which has been proposed 

is the l~OMAD equipmento Prelim1nary discussions have taken 

place considering possible other methads. 

The ROBIN ~pro=-:ir-ec=r-""T""="s--r::::-::TOJl=-=::r-i~~carry===-ou=z:--ri~e:::--:=searc===r-,,r::o~r:--:r.ap=z-w=-'.. Preliminar.y seal'Ohes, utilizing the preaent t;wo RO.BIN equipments. have 

resulted in questions concerning criteria tor depth which need 

inVestigaticmo 

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PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

APPENDIX B 

(con'EiniiiI) AKUANE 

s conn on, nwnsous me ods have been presented for simulation ot wj.red weals. EVal.uation of these methods is desirable• 

together witb suggestions tor possible new approaches. 

4. Plain Language Racogni tion 

In connection withl !questions 

exist. conceming optiiiiiilii statistics to use tor recognizing plain 

tacto Problems also exist conceming mechanical methods of a~­

ing such statistiaso 

So General Research Problems 

The following problems of general nature have bean suggested.a 

(a) Ultra-Highspeed Computat..iono 

Certain preliminary researches have been carried out on basic 

computing circuits operating at speeds of the omer o£ 1,.000 

megacycles. Shoukl additional support be given to 'WOl'k in 

tbia field? 

(b) Transistor 1'ecbniques. 

The devalopnmt ot the transistor appears to have reached a 

point of practdcal utilization in bighspeed computation<> Does 

this program require special attention! 

( c) Photographic Techniques a 

Sinee photographic methods provide the most compact torm of 

digital data storage, as well as highspeed integration, should 

further am more attention be given to extension ot these 

techniques? 

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- Names ot PeNODS Accepted as Members ot SCAG as of December l9Sl 

CAIRNS, Stewart s. •University of Illinois 

DESCII, Joseph R. ... Ha.ti~ Cash Register Company 

Jtl!GSTROM, Howard - Engimering Research Associates, Inc. 

Hr.WARD, John "" JJurroughs Adding Machine Company 

McPHERSON, John c. - International dusiness Machines Corp. 

l·JEUMANN, John von - The institute for Advanced Study 

POST, Dean - Research and Development Jloard 

POTTER, Ralph Ko • llell Telephone Laboratories 

BOJmTSON, H. R. •Weapons Systems Evaluation Group 

SHAiilJON, Claude E. - Bell t&l.ephone Laboratories 

SPEAKMAN, Itiwin Ae • Research and Devalo:r;mant .Boal'd 

T<mrKINS1 Charles B. • George .~ashington University 

WFBSTER, W1111am - New Englam Power Company 

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