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DECIUS WADSWORTH DISC CIPHER 

This cryptograph was invented by Decius \Vadaworth in 1917 and was 

submitted to Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton ein and manufacturer 

of small arms for the U. s. Ar"'fr'f, for examination. It is not known whether 

the device ~as ever used or .mother more than one model was ever made. 

These pictures were made from the device which was borrowed for a 

time from the owners -- the Hamden Historical Society of Hamden, 

Connecticut. 

This device is particularly interesting since it.not only antedates 

by half a century t.he invention _by Sir Charles Wheatstone of a device 

employing the same principle, but also it incorporates certain features 

not included by ~~eatstone in his device. 

Very little is known about Wadsworth •. He entered the arn:y in 1774 

from Connecticut· as a captain of artillery, and served continuously until 

shortly before his death in 1821. . He was in the "engineers later on and 

became the first Chief of Ordnance, servin~ in that capacity as a colonel 

from 1Sl2 to 1821. Around 1803 he was a major and an aide to General James 

Wilkinson, who was at that time the head of the U. S. ArMy. Wilkinson was 

a prolific user of cryp+.ography, and no doubt was assisted by Wadsworth in 

compiling cryptographic systems. Wadsworth's connection with ~li Whitney 

is explained by the fact that as Chief of Ordnance he had dealings with 

Whitney who manufactured rifles for the Army. The cipher device apparently 

was a gift from Wadsworth to Whitney. The latter or his relatives bequeathed 

it to the Hamden Historical Society. 

@'pproved for Release by NSA on 10-20-2014 pursuantto E.O. 13526 
REF ID:A4146534 

DECIUS WADSWORTH DISC CIPHER 

This cryptograph was invented by Decius Wadsworth in 1817 and was 

submitted to Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin and manufacturer 

of small arms for the U. S. Army, for examination. It is not known whether 

the device was ever used or whether more than one model was ever made. 

These pictures were made from the device which was borrowed for a 

time from the owners -- the Harnden Historical Society of Hamden, 

Connecticut. 

This device is particularly interesting since it not only antedates 

by half a century the invention by Sir Charles Wheatstone of a device 

employing the same principle, but also it incorporates certain features 

not included by Wheatstone in ·his device. 

Very little is known about Wadsworth. He entered the army in 1774 

from Connecticut as a captain of artillery, and served continuously until 

shortly before his death in 1821 •. He was in the engineers later on and 

became the first Chief of Ordnance, serving in that capacity as a colonel 

from 1812 to 1821. Around 1803 he was a major and an aide to General James 

Wilkinson, who was at that time the head of the U. S. Army. Wilkinson was 

a prolific user of cr/ptography, and no doubt was assisted by Wadsworth in 

compiling cryptographic systems. Wadsworth's connection with Eli Whitney 

is explained by the fact that as Chief of Ordnance he had dealings with 

Whitney who manufactured rifles for the Army. The cipher device apparently 

was a gift from Wadsworth to Whitney. The latter or his relatives bequeathed 

it to the Hamden Historical Society. 

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Miss Ella F. Wood, President 

The Hamden Historical Society 

2256 Whitney Avenue 

Hamden 14, Connecticut 

My dear Miss Wood: 

•• 

2 June 1949 

I have sent today the Decius Wadsworth cipher device by 

registered mail. You will note that on the package there is a 

receipt addressed to my office. If yo~ will be so kind as to 

return the receipt upon the arrival of the package, I shall appreciate it. 

Very truly yours, 

WILLIAM F. FRIEDMAN 

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THE HAMDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

THE JONATHAN DICKERMAN l:IOUSE-1770 

Mr. William F. F'riedraan 

Special Assistant to the 

Army Security Agency 

Washington, 25, D C. 

My de-ar Mr. Friedman, 

Chief 

I N C 0 R P 0 R A T E D 

HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT 

filay 24, 1949 

I have you~letter of May 12, 1949, addressed to the Chairman of 

the Board of Directors of the Hamden Historical Society, in which 

you tell of the injury which has befallen the Decius Wadsworth cipher device which the Hamden Historical Society loaned for display. 

Inasmuch as the Hamden Historical Society is planning a Tour of 

Old Houses for the f~rst Saturday in June, on which occasion its hous~, the Jonathan Dickerman Homestead,will be open to visitors, 

the 0 oard of J...Jirectors would like me to request you to send us 

the device so that w6;dlsplay it at that time in Hamden. We regret 

the mishap which has come to the cover, but we are prepared to have 

it repaired, as you suggest, by a competent babinet maker. 

We wish at this time to thank you for the care that you have taken 

of the Decius Wadsworth device and to express-to you the pleasure 

that it has been to us to know that it was on view in 1dashington. 

$ince we are unable to tell until we have seen it how long it 

might take to have it repaired, perhaps it is as well not to commit ourselves about returning it to you. However, if you would 

like it again, it might be well to write us later. 

As this is our most cherished possession, as 1 am sure you will 

understand, because of our proximity to the Whitney home and plant, 

I will appreciate it if you will insure it adequately and notify 

me when you mail it. I trust that there is ample time in which we 

may get it to have on display on June 4. :!"f you feel that express 

or registered mail is preferable, please do not hesitate to use the 

best means of getting it back to us in the best dondition possible. 

Yours very sincerely, 

~\\~e>~ 

(Miss) Ella F. Wood, President 

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Captain S. J. Keane, 

2110 North Sabina.a,. 

San Antonio, Texas. 

Dear Captain Keane: 

26 August 1944. 

_I am s~e that "you will be interested in the enclos·ed 

correspondence. The lead which ~ou gave me b$ck in December 

has turned out in a rather gratifying manner and I want to 

tell 7ou how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness 1n writing 

me about it. · 

With very best regards, I am, 

Enclosures~ 1 . 

Sincerely yours, 

William F. Friedman, 

Director of Communications 

Research. 
Date / 6 4Je:.e_ 

TO FROE 

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A'.:>:Jt. Adjutant ---Co.ordination ,S_e_c.,.t""'"i-o-.n-------

-Chief:, Headquarters Branch 

---Chief; A ~Branch -----

-Chief:, B Branch 

-Ci1:!_ef:, C Br<:mch-----------

---Chi.ef:, D :Srnnch 

-Chief:, E Branch------------- ---,.,, ~ -- - p n . ----------- 1...1J1l8I, ,_, .c,r<""incn 

---Dir. cf Trainin_g_· ---'---------

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---Pers onri.el .Of fice-r-------'-----

---Provost i·."ic.1r·si1rrl 

---Classified l''.<lil :2.oo;·a 

--_--Secret.a:r:.r to C. o. ---------- ---. GcmeJ~al l'Hes 

---201 Files. -----------~ 

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___ Inf. a:.!:.."'l· Fol""'V}c:rcli11g ___ You.r L'-f .Jrrn2 ti on an"""c:. ___ /_i_l_. e------

Si ::r::a ture, if appro.ved 

---See l'.ote o'1 Da.ck -------

-.--As Reouested -.--As Dis~cussed---------~---

---Your Action· 
,- ' 

CSGAS 

Chairman, Board of Directors 

Hamden Historical Society 

Post Office Box l 

Mount Carmel, Connecticut 

Dear Sir: 

REF ID :A41461j4 

..,. 

12 May 1949 

On 2 May 1949 Mr. Howard W. Dickerman, Treasurer of the Hamden· 

Historical Society, visited my office and requested that he _be given an 

opportunity to examine on your behalf the Decius Wadsworth cipher device 

which bad been generously lent us some years ago by the Society and 

which is at present on exhibition in our historical museum. -

I was sorry not to be able to chat with Mr. Dickerman, being out 

of the city. In my absenc-e, a member of' my staff brought the device 

from the museum to Mr. Dickerman for his examination. As he may have 

indicated to you, the circular mahogany cover to the device has unfortunate..: 

ly become defective, it having, by a m~nner unknown to me, become c~acked 

in two separate pieces. The device itself and all o~ its mechanism is, 

however, in excellent condition. Because of the age and value of the 

device it would be very advisable to have the cover repaired by an.expert cabinetmaker. Inasmuch, however, as the device is the property 

of your Society, I have hesitated to take upon myself the responsibility 

for the repair without the -specific consent of the Society. Mr. Dickerman suggested to my representative that the Board of Directors of the 

Society might be concexnad-with the present condition of the cover and 

might wish to send it to experts known to the Society for their skill 

in repairing old wood. Should the Society itself wish to.undertake the 

repair, I shall be glad to send only the cover to you by insured parcel 

post, properly packed for its protection. otherwise, we shall un~ertake 

the repair ourseives. I hope that the Board will extend the loan of the 

device for a few years longer. 

In closing, I take this opportunity to express our appreciation to 

the Hamden Historical Society for the loan of this device.and to assure 

you that its presence in our museum adds much to our exhibit of early 

Amerioa.n'cipher devices. Attached is a copy of the.card which ·identifies · the device in the museum. · 

1 Incl 

Sincerely yours, 

WILLIAM F .. FRIEDMAN 

Special Assistant to the-Chief 

Army Security Agency 
.. REF ID:A414qjp4_ ..... 

Decius Wadsworth Disc Cipher 

Thie cryptograph was invented by Decius Wadsworth in 1817 and 

-·was supm.itted to .Eli Whitney for examination. It is not known whether 

-the device was ever used or whether additional models were made.· The 

model on exhibition· is presumably unique. 

This device is- particularly interesting since it not only antedates 

by half ~ century the invention by Sir Charles Wheatstone of a device 

employing the same principle but also it incorpo·rates certain features 

not included by Wheatstone in his device. , '. 

The model on exhibition has been lent to the Army Security f_gency ·~, 

through the courtesy of the Hamden Histori~al S~ciety of Hamden, 

Connecticut, the home of_ Decius Wadsworth~ 
, I • 

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REF ID:A4146tll4 J;l-,-L 

. -

I·lias lSlla Po \'1004-. Preeident ~he ~n H1stoi-1cal Soc1et7 

2256 mlitner Avenue 

Hamden, 14, Oonnectt-cut 

NJ_ dear Miss Wood, 

""""' 

27 May 1949 -

- (A~1i.;.. J'i'"o..J.,.w,.dL 

dl.·.L) ~ 

· Tbank you tor 70~ prom.pt J:'eply to iQ' letter· eon• 

oern1ng tb.e Dee)1\ls Wads\i'ortb. cipher device. 

- X shall be glad to send the device _to you in order 

that it may be placed on display fol' the teur of-Old 

Houses on 4 June. In order tbl.lt -the de~1oe iue.1 reaob ,-ou safelt and a$. expe<litiously aa possible I eball send it 

b'J insured express and sball notify you when it !$a - _ been sent~ Pl-9obably 31 Mar_-. -

Me.y I again . en,pr_ess ~ tb&nk2J tQ the Society for 

lending the device to this Agency tor display_ ll.Jld 

expreae_1121 hope that you-will cons1de11 a turther loa.n 

of the device when it ia convenient~ 

Sincerely you:i;as, 

WILLIAM P. FRIEDMAN 

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it .. 

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• •• REF ID.:A4146strf •. ...... 

Mrs.. Thomas S. Hartley• 2034 Whitney Avenue. 

Hamden,, Connecticut,. 

My dear Mr.s. Hart:ley! 

I cannot tell you how pleased I was to receive your nice 

letter of 12 August. I had begun to wonder what bad happened and whether the pending decision with regard to the Decius 

Wadsworth cipher device bad been overlooked. 

I only wish I could have been a guest at the picnic of the· 

·Hamden Historical Society vhen this ma.tt"er vas discussed. It 

would have given me considerable pleasure to have presented 

some of the technical details which make the device of such 

interest to me. I do indeed intend.at the soonest possible 

moment to de~l with the story in a f'itting manner 1n som~ journal, but I doubt whether it would be one of national circulation . because of the limited appeal which such-an article would have. 

In any case, ve shall have to wait until the end of the war 

before something of.this nature can be done. In the meantime 

I hope to have some· opportunity to do a bit of historical 

research on Wadsworth himself, his relations with Whitney, etc. 

We shall probably.find a very interesting mind behind the device. 

Will you please convey my thanks to Mr. Harte for his bit of 

information concerning Decius Wadsworth? The lead he has given with regard to the Yale Sterlμig Library should. be profitable. 

The device itself has· been reposing.~afely in my office 

but within a short time i·t will be transferred to our historical 

museum. I ask your approval of the following· legend to be 

placed upon the card which will accompany it~ display: 

"The Decius.Wadsworth Cipher Device. 

The date engraved upon the dial definitely establishes American priority in inventing what is now· 

known as the Wbeatst·one Principle, the latter having been described in a publication by Sir Charles 

Wheatstone, dated 1879. · · · 

This fine example of an early American cipher device of gI'eat interest bas been loaned through the 

coUl"tesy of the Hamden Historical Society1 Hamden, 

Connecticut." · 
... D:A41465fl .._. 

If there is anything that you would like to add or if there 

are any changes. you have to suggest in the foregoing. legend, I 

will be·vel'J".glad to have them. · · 

In closing,·· I wish to reiterate my sincere thanks tor your cooperation 1n this matter and especially to extend my thanks 

to all the members of the Hamden Histo~ical Society for their 

generosity in tendering the Decius Wadsworth Cipher Device as a loa~ for an· indefinite period to our Museum. 

/ 

Sincerel7 yours, 

William F. Friedman, Dir~ctor·of Oommun1cat1one· · Research .. 

. l 

' . 

-2-
• REF ID:A41465. 

William F. Friedman 

Director of Communications Researcg 

Room 30340 The Pentagon SPSIS-3 

Washington, D.C. 

Dear Mr. Friedman: 

-

August 12,1944 

Coul~ ·it really have been last February that our 

last word was said in re the Decius Wadsworth coding device? I hope 

you haven't been biting your nails in anxiety ever since. The outcome of the long delay is, however, felicitous• 

The Hamden Historical Society had a picnic at the Old Red House 

July 15, and the fine pictures you had sent us were displayed, as 

well as our correspondence. A ba·llot box and slips of paper, 

giving three choices of what to do about the device, were provided; 

and the resulting vote was to the effect that we want you to keep 

the device as an indefinite loan. In other words; we see no immediate liklihood of having so good an opportunity as you have, to 

exhibit or gain useful knowledge from it. 

I had been fearful that the members vwuld wish to have it back, 

and I hope you are pleased as I am that it may remain with you, at 

least for a probably reasonable length of time~ 

I am still very hopeful that you will write. it up in a magazine 

of national circulation~ You lacked informati~n about Decius Wadsworth, and when.you ido get it, it seems as though the story would 

be quite exciting. The fact that an American and not an Englishman 

was responsible for this particular idea, and so many years earlier 

than history had noted, makes us feel very important. 

Charles Rufus Harte, a Connecticut civil engineer of note, and ~ 

one of our members, tells me that Decius Wadsworth was the son of / 

William and Mercy Clarke Wadsworth of Farmington; born Jan. 21., 1768 ' 

and died Nov.8,1821 in New Haven. He wanted to be a la~yer, but became a captain of artillery and an engineer in the u.s.Army. He 

gradmated from Yale in 1785; and I am sure that Yale Sterling library 

would have more about him in at least class records. Mr. Harte 

thinks it very likely that Eli Whitney constructed the device from 

Wadsworth :plans. 

Let me hear from you again, though the precedent I have set, 

gives you plenty of timet 

' 2034 Whitney Avenue, 

Hamden, Conn. 

~~"V~~,lf~ 
) ,. 

REF.:A4146534 

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Cormor 

Dr. NcOls.skoy 
,, REF ID:A4146. 

Rm. 3C340 

The Pentagon SPSIS-3 

Mrs. Rachel II. Hartley 203.lf. Whitn97 Avenue 

Hamden. Connecticut 

Dear ~ Hartley: 

l March 1944 

That 7ou veJ!7 much tor 7our nice letter of PebruarJ- 27th. 

I can very well understand that the Society might be 

unwilling to give up the device for the purpose ot add1llg it to the goverllJlent collection and I am ent1rel7 sympathetic with 7our point of v1ev. In accords.nee with yolll' suggestion I will keep the device safely here until official action 

on my request is taken by the Society at its next meeting. 

I think 7ou will be pleased to add to the 1Df'ormat1on 

which you have with respect to Decius Wadsvorth. One of 

lllJ' associates after diligent search through all reference 

works on biography' in the various div1s10Il8 ot ~e L1b19&r7 

of Congress finally came across the tolloving.&fte~ an appeal 

to the Manuscript Division of the Li~: . ·". 

nwadsvortbf Decius Corm. Conn. Capt arts ffetilleristy 

ana engra June i'.794; resdfresigne_ g 19 July 1796 i 

capt 2 arts and engrs 1 June 179CS; maj 2 arts and engra 

9 Jan 1800J retained as maj arts 1 · Apt>11 18021 maj engr 8 .Jul.7 18Q2J read 10 .Feb -18051 col coms7 gen of' ord 

2 July 1812; retained a col and C O_ffibief' of' Ordmnc!/ .. .Feb 1815; hon diachd l June 1821;. lftUd 8 Bov 182.!i'. .. . . • •. • IJ • .. .. • 

''solll'Ce :'" Heit.ti -- u~s.· Re ister · vol 1 1 S -1 • Libr&17 o o.ngreaa a . o. • a. iv • . . . Heii.n iswes ror u.s. ·.arid .states do not l.nelude this 

" .oft1cer.} Publ1shexa•a note: .. ''This .is the unofficial work 

ot a pr1 va te compil&r • pUza.2,baeed, a.nd · publisbed by the 

direction or Co~ss. '. ~7th Cong. .2d5ess1on~House Doc • . Bo. 446J . . · .. . . · . · .... ., ... · . . . · ' - . . ' ( ~ 

8Dec1us Wadsvorth letter to the Secretary of war. 1814. 

is among the President Monroe papers. but evacuated tor 

the duration. 0 
.• ..... c~ ECDyA4146~ ...... 

1 March 1944 

Rm. 30340 

The Pentagon 

SPSIS-3· 

Mrs. Rachel M. Hartley 

2034 Whitney Avenue 

Hamden, Connecticut 

Dear Mrs. Hartley: 

That you very much for your nice letter of February 27th. 

I can very well understand that the Society might be 

unwilling to give up the device for the purpose of adding 

it to the government collection and I am entirely sympathetic 

with your point of view. In accordance with your suggestion 

I will keep the device safely here until official action 

on my request is taken by the Society at its next meeting. 

I think you will be pleased to add to the information 

which you have with respect to Decius Wadsworth. One of' 

my associates after diligent search through all reference 

works on biography in the various divisions of the Library 

of Congress finally came across the following after an appeal 

to the Manuscript Division of the Library: 

"Wadsworth, Decius Conn. Conn. Capt arts (artillerists) 

and engrs 1 June 1794; resd(resigned) 19 July 1796; 

capt 2 arts and engrs 1 June 1798; maj 2 arts and engrs 

9 Jan 1800; retained as maj arts 1 April 1802·; maj engr 

8 July 1802; resd 10 Feb 1805; col comsy gen of ord 

2 July 1812; retained a col and C 0 (Chief of Ordance) 

Feb 1815; hon dischd 1 June 1821; (died 8 Nov 1821). 

"Source: Heitman -- U.S.Army Register, vol 1 1789-1903. 

Library of Congre~s Call No. Ull.U5H6 Mss.Div. (Other 

Heitman issues for U.S. and states do not include this 

officer.) Publisher's note: 'This is the unofficial work 

of a private compiler, purchased and published by the 

direction of Congress.' (57th Cong. 2dSession.House Doc. 

No. 446.) 

"Decius Wadsworth letter to the ~ecretary of War, 1814, 

is among the President Monroe papers, but evacuated for 

the duration." 
- 2 -

. . 

It will give me a great deal of pleasure to prepare 

an article on the Decius Wadsworth device and I am sure that _ 

the readers of our scieritific journal; The Signal Corps Bulletin, 

will-be very much interested in it. The publication of the 

Bulletin has b~~n suspen~ed for an indefinite period but 

I am sure it will resume just as soon as possible. 

I will look forward to having another letter from you 

sometime after the Society's next regular meeting. 

Thanking you£ again, I am, 

Sincerely yours, 

. William F. Friedman 

Director.of Communications 

Research 
REd:A4146534 ..... -

J1.HLINGTON Hi\11 STATION 

Date ------- TO 

~Coμun;;inding Officer 

---Asst. Commandant __ -----z___,,,....__ _,.... __ _,,.~...._ ___ Dir. of Com. Research v 

FROH 

--Executive Officer ------

-Assto Executive Officer --~djutant ----

--Asst. Adjutant -Chief, Headqua_r..,..t_e_r_s-=Br-an-c""'h__._ __ _ 

~Coordination Section 

--Inf• and Liaison Sec..,..t.,..i-on ____ _ 

-Chief, A Branch 

-Chief, B Branch---------

--Chief, C Branch 

Chief, D Branch ----------- --Chief E Brancl1 ___________ _ 

--- , Chief, F Branch --Dir.. of Trainin_g _ _... ___ ...._ __ _ 

--2d Sigo Serv. Bn. --------'-------

Property Officer --Personnel Office_r ___________ __ 

--Provost Marshal 

Post Engineer -------------- ---Class if ie d Ha-i"'"l_H_o_om __________ _ 

--Secretary to C. 0. · 

--General Files ----------

--201 Files 

------------------ Comments and Return 

--Recommerida tions -------

--Information 

---Information __ a_n_d_Re_t_l_.ir_n~------

---Inf. and Forwarding --Your Inf orma ti on an_d __ F_il_e ______ _ 

--Signature, if approved 

---See Hate on Back ------

As Requested1 --hs Discussed-----------------

--Your Action 

---------------
·- • REF ID:A414 • ,_,,,__ 

25 February 1944 

Memorandum 

To: 9apt. Hotson 

From: ~a T. Livingstone 

Subject: Report on Fletcher Pratt, Harper's, May 1943 . Information requested on an American named Decius 

Wadsworth, 1800-1850 

1. Fletcher Pratt made no references to the use of codes in his 4th 

article, "Americans in Battle, 11 May 194a. I folmd this issue in the 

Industrial War College Library at 'fille Pentagon yesterday. 

2. I located references to Decius Wadsworth by an appeal to the Manuscript Division, after exhausting all reference works on biography in 

other divisions of the Library of Congress. 

~ istso 

(a)Wadsworth 1 Decius Conn. Conn. Capt arts /artiller// and engrs 1 

June 1794; resd /resigned/ 19 July 1796; capt 2 arts and engrs 1 

Jl.me 1798; maj 2 arts and engrs 9 Jan 1800; retained as ma.j arts 1 

April 1802; maj engr 8 July 1802; resd 10 Feb 1805; col comsy gen or 

ord 2 July 1812; retained a col and C 0 /Chief or Ordnance/ Feb 1815; 

hon dischd l June 1821; Ldied 8 Nov 1821_/ 

Source: ·Heitman~ Reister vol Library of 

Congress Call No. Ull.U5H6 Mss. Div. Other Heitman issues for u. s. ~· 

and states do not include this officer.) Publisher's note: "This is 

the l.mofficial work of a private compiler, purchased and published by 

the direction of Congress." /57th. Cong. 2d Session. House Doc. No. 446./ 

(b) Decius Wadsworth letter to the Secretary of War, 1814, as among the 

President Monroe papers, but evacuated for the duration. ~ 

(1 roul.d f1•o oaii/ att"J't1.1n t~ DecitWade, ete~~/jfist, M6ft~ 

183tl905, ~- of Uog.Gr there ·s 'h;r co slon ~ th,~e) 
,/ 

.... REF ID:A41+'¥'fp. 

"19"' -

SPSIS-3 

Februaryl5, 1944 

,. . . 

Mrs. Rachel M. Hartley, President 

Hamden Historical Society 2034 'Whitney Avenue 

Hamden, Connecticut 

Dear Mrs. Hartley: 

Ve have had a good eb.anee to study the Decius Wadsworth 

device and to take photographs Of it. I had pi-omised to 

indicate what we learned about the device and therefore I 

vill proceed to tell you. 

The device is intended, of course, for cryptographic 

purposes. It employs what ~e call two juxtaposed sequences 

tor the production ot cipher alphabets. · When the device first 

arrived it appeared that both sequences were normal, that 1s, 

in the anangement A, B, c, ••• or the ordir:Jar7 alphabet, but 

upon more careftil examination it developed that the-outside 

sequence could be made a_disarr&Dged sequence merely by removing the individual letters through a slot provided therefor 

and replacing them in a different order. Moreover, in this 

device, because the two sequences have an unequal number ot 

characters (26 and 33) certain cryptographic relationships 

are developed which are ot a somewhat complex nature but are 

vell-knovn in the art. 

I do not think that it is necessary or desirable to go into the exact manner in employing the device to encipher 

or decipher messages. even though this information is only of historical importance at this t1me. I think,, however., 

it is most interesting to note th.at, so far as the literature 

of the subject is concerned, the first device ot this nature, 

involving sequences.of unequal numbers ot cb.a.racters, was 

invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone and first described in one 

of bis scientific papers bearing the date 1879. It is, there- fore~ a source ot considerable pride and interest to learn 

now. that an American, Decius we·dsworth, baa prior claim to 

this invention and by a good many years, since the Wadsworth 

device has engraved on.it the year 1817. 
I. 

. REF ID:A41-- - -

The device is VGJ!7 ve11 constructed and shows ~onsiderable 

ingenliity 1n reduc1ng to practice the theoretical crJPtograph1o considerations which Mr. Wadsworth must have entertained, I 

should.sa7 that he was tar ahead ot any other.American ot his 

da7 1n his concept or cryptographic mechanisms •. It would.-

_theretore, be vel'J' interesting to lmov more about him. Ir the 

Soc1et7 bas no turther intormat1on tban is contained on the 

small slip of pa.p~r accompa.nJing the device, I sbS.11 proceed 

to try to find out more b7 having a search made. Perhaps, however, 7ou can save us some trouble if ¥OU have an7 add1t1onal 

historical information. · 

I envy the Ham~en Historical Society in its possession ot 

this most interesting relic and am frank to add, indeed, that 

I covet it· for our own historical oollect1on. Is there any chance that this device coUld be deposited as a loan tor an 

indefinite period? 

I think you may be inter-ested in the.photographs we have 

taken, and I Gm therefore 1noloe1ng a set with our compliments and as a slight token of our appreciation or your courtea~ 

in eubmittinS the device for examination.-

Upon receipt of 1ntormat1on to the effect that the Society uishes to retain the device 1n its own-.poseeasion. I will be 

glad to return it promptlJ•. 

Incl. 

Set of photographs 

:William Fo Friedman . Di:reotol" of Oommun1oa.t1ons 

Research 
f/ 

. '. -

REF ID:A414"1JM 

Mr. William F. Friedman, 

Director of Communications Research, 

Washington, D.C. 

Dear Mr. Friedman: 

.......-

December 31, 1943 

Your letter of December 18th inquiring about the 

Ham.den Historical Society's cipher device, was not answered sooner 

on account of the holiday majl copgestion. 

We are proud of the privilege of loaning this curiosity to 

you, and will send it by registered mail as soon as a Society member can conveniently get it from our Old Red House, which is now 

closed for the winter. 

We are, of course, eager to know what you make of its intricacies, none of us ever having been able to figure it out. We 

would certainly not have felt competent to describe it to you. 

All that we know is that Decius Wadsworth was a government inspector wijo came to Hamden to inspect Eli Whitney's guns when he 

was making them for the government; and the cipher device was 

.apparently a gift from him to Mr. Whitney. 

We feel that its value to us will be enhanced by the fact 

that it was of interest to you; and any data which you can give 

us after you ha!e studied it, will be very much appreciated. 

(~) /~t 'fl:;t~'!I~ Pr~sident of the Hamden HistoricaI Society. 

2034 Whitney Avenue, 

Hamden, Connecticut. 

( 

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Date I. -------- TO-/· FROM 

V Commanding Officer / 

--Asst. CoTJI!landant ----. /--,i;e;..---

--Dir. of Com. He search i7 

--Executive .Officer -..,.....-----

---Asst. Executive Officer .,...,,.,--------

--Adjutant ---,--

--Asst. Adjutant 

---Chief, Headquarters -,.--=----.----- Branch 

---Coordination Section ~---

Inf. and Liaison Section 

--Chief, A Branch -----

--Chief, B Branch 

---Chief, C Branch----------

--Chief, D Branch 

Chief, E Branch ---------- ---Chief, F Branch----------

---Dir. of Training 

2 d Sig. Serv. Bn. ·---------- ---Property Officer ---------

---·Personnel Officer 

---Provost J:Iarshal -----------

---Post Engineer 

---Classified Ifai)_ ~------------ Hoom 

---Secretary to C. O~ ____ _,___ 

---General Files 

--201 Files ------------

Comments and Return 

---Recommendations ~-------

----Information 

---Inf orr,;.a tion-a-n"""'d_H_e_t_ur_n _____ _ 

Inf. and rorwarding,-=-=""'"=------ -----Your Information ?nd File _____ _ 

----Signature, if approved 

---·See Note on Back --------

---As Requested -. ---hs Discussed,_.;.. __________ _ 

---your _11c ti on 

---------------

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REF 

The Curator 

Hamden Memorial Society Hamden, Connecticut 

Dear Sirt 

SPSIS-3 

18 December 1943 

An old friend of mine, Captain s. J. Keane, u. s. 

Army Retired, bas written me recentlJ that while 

browsing 1n Connecticut a rew 1ears ago he came across 

a cipher device which is on exhibit b7 the Societ7 

and Which he thought might interest me. It is labeled 

the ,,eciue ·wadsworth Cipher Device (1817)" and was 

intended tor t~ansmitting sec~et intelligence • 

. I have always been interested in historical items 

of this nature and I am writing to ask whether it would 

be possible tor the Society to.send me detailed data 

and photographs, or better yet, the device itself as 

a loan for a very rev days so that it may be studied. 

I assure you that your courtesy would be appreci- ated and that if the device were sent it would be well 

taken care of and promptly retUl'ned. 

This item, of course, ha.s no practical usage 

now but wotld be valuable for historical purposes only. 

Very truly yours, 

William F. Friedman 

Director ot Oommunications 

Research 
REF ID:A4144")4 

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REF ID:A414«f"4 ..._,.,. 

SPSIS-3 

Captains. J. Keane 

.2110 North· Sabine.II 

sa:n Antonie>, ',J:'ems 

· Dear CapUil'l Keane 1 

14 December 1943 

Thank you ve~r much tot! yo'llr letter of' 

December 7, a.rid tor 1 ts inelosure w~.b ~ inter.; . eating. :C think it might b~ 1n po1nt"t() write 

a letter to the Hamden Memorial Soa1et1 to see 1r· 

I could get a photo~s.ph and further da. ~ ro:r pur '. 

h1stor1cal records •. 

It was nice.to he&r trom you and to learn 

that you a.re doibg suoh 1nte~esting work. Re• c1p~ocat1ng rour personal regards and·v1th the· 

s•son • s gtteet~s,, X em, · . 

s1neerel7 7oure, 

' \ 

'William F. Friedman 

Directol' or Oommuniea.t1one'. 

Research 

\ 

\ 
REF ID:A414@"'4 

Mrs. Rachel M. Hartley, President 

Hamden Historical Societr 

2034 Whitney Avenue . . · 

Ha.mden1 · Connecticut . 

Dear Mx-e. Hartley: 

. ...,... 

12 Js.nuarr 1944 

SPSIS-3 . Room 30340 

Pentagon Bldg. 

Thank 7ou for your letter ot the 31st ··or December. 

The Decius W~deworth device arrived in good condition 

tod.81 and appears to be vei-y interesting. As soon · 

as we have bad tim~ to study it ve will be glad to 

tell you w~t ve have learned. · 

The Society's courtesr in making this device 

available to-r· study.is muoh appreciated. 

Very· truly JOUl'S~ 

William F. Friedman 

Director of ·Communications 

· Research · 

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Miss Ella F. Wood, President 

The Hamdan Historical Society 

2256 i7hi tney Avenue · 

Hamden 14, Connecticut 

My dear Miss Wood: 

REF ID:A414.6-

\ "'."."'" 

2 June 1949 

I have sent today the Decius Wadsworth cipher device by 

I 

registered mail. You will note that on the package there is a 

receipt addressed to my office. If you will be so kind as to 

return the receipt upon the arrival of the package, I shall appreciate it. 

Very tMlly yours, 

WILLIAM F. FRIEDMAN 

1'.J . I 

') 
REF ID:A41465'11 ..... 
REF ID:A41465Afl 

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CSGAS 

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Chairman, Board of Directors 

Hamden Historical Society 

Poet Office Box l 

Mount Carmel, Connecticut 

Dear Sir: 

REF ID:A414~!iiMI ).,, 

12 Ma.y 1949 

On 2 May 1949 Mr. Howard W. Dickerman, Treasurer of the Hamden 

Historical Society, visited my office and requested that he be given an 

opportunity to examine on your behalf the Decius Wadsworth cipher device 

which had been.generously lent us some years ago by the Society and 

which is at present on exhibition in our historical museum. 

I was sorry not to be able to chat with Mr. Dickerman, being out 

of the city. In my ebsence, a member of my staff brought the device 

from the museum to Mr. Dickerman for his examination. As he may have 

indicated to you, the circular mahogany cover to the device has unfortunately become defective, it having, by a manner unknown to me, become cracked 

in two separate pieces. The device itself and all of its mechanism is, 

however, in excellent condition. Because of the age and value of the 

·device i~ would be very advisable to have the cover repaired by an ex-

. Pert cabinetmaker. Inasmuch, however, as the device.is the property 

of your Society, I have hesitated to take upon myself the responsibility 

for the repair without the specific consent of the Society. Mr. Dickerman suggested to my representative that the Board of Directors of the 

Society might be conce:med with the present condition of the cover and 

might wish to send it to experts known to the Society 1or their skill 

in repairing old wood. Should the Society itself wish to undertake the 

repair, I shell be elad to send only the cover to you by insured parcel 

post, properly packed for its protection. otherwise, we shall undertake . the repair ourselves. I hope that the Board will extend the loan of the 

device for a few years longer. 

In closing, I take this opportunity to express our appreciation to 

the Hamden Historical Society for the loan of this device and to assure 

you that its presence in our museum adds much to our exhibit of early 

American'cipher devices. Attached is a copy of the card which identifies 

the device in the museum. 

1 Incl 

Sincerely yours, 

WILLIAM F. FRIEDMAN 

Special Assistant to the Chief 

Army Security Agency 
. --':' . 

I '· 

REF ID:A4146=tli' ..... 

This box,from my earlie.t recollection• hung in a 

flannel bag in a closet.in my father's house. I.never 

;) 

0 f 

.' 

~- . ! 

learned exaQtly what it is or whom it came' from but , '. 

understood that it was upposed. to be an invention -- , 

~ . 

for transmitting_ secret·· intel:J.igenoe in time o:t war 

and at other times - al o that it had been 'sent.by :i' 

·: .J, : -- .:.:._ 

the 'inventor to Ur Eli Wb.i tney for examination a.ncl ... A. 

\{ had descended from Mr itney to my father but ho_w 

it.worked I _could neTer discover and I think nobody 

but the inTentor (Deciu Wadsworth) and perhaps Mr 

Whitney ever kn(W 

___ :.. ____ _ 

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H. T • :Blake 

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M t2 HNANCE AND ACCOUNTING OFFICE 

9800 SAVAGE ROAD 

~cORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755 

.. 

~ OFFICIAL BUSINESS 

PENAL TY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 111111 

U. iiiilS.iilMAiiilL ~ 

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 

DoD-314 
This box,from my earliest recollection, h~ng in a 

flannel bag in a closet in my father's house. I never 

learned exaotly what it' is or whom it came' from but 

understo9d that it was supposed to be an invention 

for transmitting secret !·intelligence in time o~ war 

and at other times - also that it had been sent by ··: 

the inventor to llr Eli Whitney 

had desoen4ed from Mr Whitne7 to 'l'II1' father but how 

it worked I.could neTer ~isoover and I think nobody 

but the inTentor (Decius Wadsworth) and perhaps Mr ~-

Whitney ·ever kn~ 

. H • T-. :Bla.k~ 
REFI ID:A4146534 

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