Improvements in Apparatus for Writing or Reading Messages in Cipher.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application 16th Jan., 1891
Complete Specificati n
Left, 16th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Writing or Reading Messages
in Cipher.
I, EDWARD DE LANOY LITTLE of The Mount, Northallerton, in the North
Riding of Yorkshire, Master of Arts, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to apparatus to be attached either to a type writer
or other instrument by means of which telegraphic and other communications can
be both written and read or deciphered either in pure letter cipher or in pure
figure cipher, and which affords, firstly, numerous instantaneous changes of key
available in the same communication, and, secondly, a practically unlimited
variety of code without alteration of the alphabet of the type writer or other
instrument.
In the class of type-writers for which the apparatus is specially designed a
character is written by pressing a key inscribed with that character. The Figure 1.
in the annexed drawing illustrates the adaptation of the invention to one instrument
of this class. The keys, as shown in the drawing, are arranged in four parallel
rows, the uppermost rows consisting of figures and one sign. For the purpose of
adapting the invention to the type writer, its keys are divided into four equal rows
of nine keys each and a mark, indicated in the drawing by cross hatching or shading
lines, is attached to every other key so as to divide the thirty six keys involved into
nine zig-zag columns at the head of each of which stands a number, the sign
being counted as equivalent to O. The key lettered a is not employed; the use
of the key lettered Qwill be pointed out hereafter.
A frame, which is clamped to the bed of the type-writer, carries three rollers or
cylinders A, B, C, the axis of the roller A being parallel to the direction of the
rows of keys at the foot of which it works, and the axes of the others, which work
to the left and right of the keys respectively, being at right angles to that direction.
The roller A consists of nine sectional rings, one opposite each zig-zag column of
keys and moveable each separately round the axis of the roller, and on each of
these rings are inscribed the nine digits found in the uppermost row of keys in any
given order, the same order being preserved on each ring. Above the roller is a
plate d which conceals the roller from the upper view except so much of it as is
left visible through a longitudinal opening 9; through this opening is seen a series
of figures, one opposite each column of keys, and marked so as to correspond with
that column. At the right hand of the roller is a milled head a by means of which
it can be turned. The roller B, to the left of the key-board, is exactly similar to
the roller A, except that it consists of three sectional rings only, one opposite each
of the three lower rows of keys, and that the digits inscribed on each ring need not
be in the same order as those on the rings of the roller A, though they must
preserve the same order as on each of the other rings of roller B; the plate e, the..
opening h, and the milled head b are precisely similar to the same parts of roller A.
The roller C, to the right of the key board, is provided with a similar plate f, an
opening and milled head c; but it need not be divided into rings moveable
separately, and the only digits inscribed on it are 2, 3, 4, each occurring twice in-
such an order as to leave visible through the opening i one of the six possible
permutations of which these three digits admit.
When the instrument is to be used for letter cipher, each ring of the roller A
must be turned until each digit of some code or series preconcerted between the
correspondents is uppermost in its proper position, and the nine rings must then be
clamped in position by a pin or bar provided for the purpose. The rings of

page_text: roller B must be turned separately until the digits 2, 3, 4 are uppermost in that
order and must then be clamped in that position. The roller C must be turned
until some series or key preconcerted between the correspondents is uppermost.
Now as every letter except Q in the alphabet of the type-writer stands in a
column, which has a number at its head, and in a row which has a number to the
left any letter can be mentally symbolised by a double number, one digit designating
its proper column, and the other its proper row: Thus A may be mentally
symbolized as 23, B3, as 64 and so forth. These combined or co-ordinate symbols
of the letters may be called their constant symbols, as neither the figure row of
keys nor the figure series to the left is variable. Furthermore as every column
has a variable number at its foot, and every row a variable number to the right,
each letter can also, be mentally symbolised by a variable double number, one digit
indicating its proper column and the other. its proper row. Thus, as referred to the
variable series A and C, the symbol for A will, with given position, be 92, the
symbol for B will be 74. This double set of co-ordinate symbols for each letter
will yield two ciphers for each letter. For example, since the constant symbol.
for A is 23, and since 23, with given position, is the variable symbol for I, I may
be written in the first cipher of A, and, since with given position, 92 is the variable
symbol for A and is the constant symbol for O, Ŏ may be written as the second
cipher of A.
At any preconcerted interval the key can be changed instantaneously by turning,
either of the rollers A, C, one or more places, and, since nine changes will be
yielded by turning roller A, and six by turning roller C, fifty four instantaneous
changes of key can be made. At every change a new double cipher will result,
and the whole number of ciphers possible with the same arrangement of the rings,
or the same code, will be one hundred and eight. The number of codes or
arrangements of the rings is practically unlimited, amounting as it does, to more
than three hundred and sixty thousand.
In order to decipher a letter the reverse process will be necessary. Thus, if the
first order of the cipher were employed, where the symbol of the original letter is
taken from the constant series, the letter I which has for its variable symbol 23
will be deciphered by A which has the same number for its constant symbol; if.
the second order of the cipher be employed, where the symbol of the original letter
is taken from the variable series, the letter O, which has for its constant symbol 92,
will be deciphered by A which has the same number for its variable symbol. The
two last keys in the lowest row lettered ?, %, respectively, require notice. They
are never actually used in writing, but they will, of course, occasionally be involved
in the mental process required in ciphering and deciphering. Thus, since, in the
given position 84 is the constant symbol for M and the variable symbol for? the
cipher of M will, in one order of the cipher, be ?. The operator, instead of
writing as the cipher, may write Q, which his correspondent, in deciphering, will
mentally replace by ?. This can occasion no ambiguity or difficulty. Again,
since, in the given position, 34 is the constant symbol for X and the variable
symbol for %, the cipher of X will, in the first order of the cipher, be . Instead
of writing the operator may write O. This will cause a slight ambiguity,
for O might be the cipher of either X or J; but the correspondent would almost
certainly see at a glance which to select, and even if he made a wrong selection the
error would be of no great importance.
?
It now remains to explain the use of the instrument in writing and reading
figure cipher.
In this kind of cipher the rollers A, and B, alone are used. The rollers A and B
must be set to the preconcerted code and key as in letter-cipher. In the drawing
the code of roller B is 234, but it might be any one of the five hundred and four
permutations of which nine different digits taken three together are capable.
Any letter can now be ciphered into figures by writing its co-ordinate symbol as
referred to the two variable series A. B. Thus F in the given position will be
ciphered as 43 or the order of the digits may be reversed and the cipher written 34.

page_text: An instantaneous change of key can be effected by turning either of the rollers A, B,
at preconcerted intervals. Since each roller with the same code or arrangement of
rings yields nine changes of key, eighty one instantaneous changes of key are
possibie, and as every change yields a new double cipher, there are altogether
one hundred and sixty two different ciphers available in the same communication.
The number of codes or arrangements of rings is enormous, amounting to nearly
two hundred millions.
The process of deciphering is obvious. The operator writes the letter. which
has for its symbol-referred to the two series A, B,-the double number in
question.
Thus for the given position, in the first order of the cipher, 43 will be deciphered
as F, in the second order 34 will be deciphered as F.
The drawing accompanying this Specification illustrates the application of the
invention to any type-writer in which the keys are arranged in four rectilineal
parallel rows. It is however equally applicable to type-writers in which the keys
are differently arranged.
Thus, in some type-writers the keys are arranged in two parallel curvilinear rows.
In this case the apparatus described above would be modified as follows: Instead
of three equal rows of letters, nine in each row, the alphabet with two signs is
divided into four equal rows of seven characters each, and seven digits only are
employed to furnish the co-ordinate symbols of the characters, being inscribed
on the apparatus immediately below the double row of keys of the type-writer.
The roller A in the drawing is replaced by a double roller having seven sectional
rings in either half, one below each pair of keys of the type-writer. The roller B,
in the drawing is replaced by two rollers of two sectional rings each, one at either
extremity of the double row of keys of the type-writer. The roller C, in the
drawing, is replaced by a roller in a central position between the two rows of keys
and showing four characters, to serve as indices to the four sections into which the
keys are divided.
In the case of type-writers having the alphabet inscribed on one row of keys,
this alphabet together with one sign is divided into three equal compartments,
under each of which the nine digits employed are inscribed on the frame of the
apparatus in any order. Below this triple series of digits, work two parallel rollers
the upper replacing rollers B. and C, in the drawing, the lower consisting of
twenty seven sectional rings, replacing roller A in the drawings.
In either case the working of the apparatus is precisely the same as in the case
described above and illustrated by the drawing.
When the instrument is used independently of a type-writer a promiscuous or
private alphabet should be used and should be changed occasionally, as such an
alphabet would add to the safety of the cipher and would render constant changes
of key less imperative. With a view to this variability of alphabet the key board
or letter board of the instrument may be made of slate or porcelain or other
suitable material on which an alphabet may be written and erased when required;
or the alphabet may be inscribed on moveable dies fitting into corresponding
holders so as to be variable at pleasure.
Dated this 10th day of Jan 1801

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Writing or Reading Messages
in Cipher.
I EDWARD DE LANOY LITTLE of The Mount Northallerton in the North
Riding of Yorkshire, Master of Arts, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The present invention relates to apparatus to be attached either to a type writer
or other instrument by means of which telegraphic and other communications can
be both written and read or deciphered either in pure letter cipher or in pure
figure cipher and which affords, firstly, numerous instantaneous changes of key
available in the same communication, and, secondly a practically unlimited variety
of code without alteration of the alphabet of the type writer or other instrument.
In the class of type writers for which the apparatus is specially designed a
character is written by pressing a key inscribed with that character. The Figure 1
in the annexed drawing illustrates the adaptation of the invention to one instrument
of this class.
The keys, as shown in the drawing are arranged in four parallel rows, the upper-
most rows consisting of figures and one sign. For the purpose of adapting the
invention to the type writer, its keys are divided into four equal rows of nine keys
each and a mark indicated on the drawing by cross hatching or shading lines, is
attached to every other key so as to divide the thirty six keys involved into nine
zig-zag columns at the head of each of which stands a number, the sign being
counted as equivalent to O.
The key lettered a is not employed, the use of the key lettered Q will be pointed
out hereafter.
A frame, which is clamped to the bed of the type writer carries three rollers or
cylinders A. B. C., the axis of the roller A being parallel to the direction of the
rows of keys at the foot of which it works, and the axes of the others which work
to the left and right of the keys respectively, being at right angles to that direction.
The roller A consists of nine sectional rings, one opposite each zig-zag column of
keys and moveable each separately round the axis of the roller and on each of
these rings are inscribed the nine digits found in the uppermost row of keys
in any given order, the same order being preserved on each ring. Above the
roller is a plate d which conceals the roller from the upper view except so much of
it as is left visible through a longitudinal opening 9; through this opening is seen
: a series of figures, one opposite each column of keys and marked so as to correspond
with that column. At the right hand of the roller is a milled head a by means of
which it can be turned. The roller B to the left of the key board is exactly
similar to the roller A except that it consists of three sectional rings only, one
opposite each of the three lower rows of keys and that the digits inscribed on each
ring need not be in the same order as those on the rings of the roller A though
they must preserve the same order as on each of the other rings of roller B; the
plate e, the opening and the milled head b are precisely similar to the same parts
of roller A. The roller C to the right of the key board is provided with a similar
plate f, an opening i and milled head c but it need not be divided into rings move-
able separately and the only digits inscribed on it are 2, 3, 4 each occurring twice
in such an order as to leave visible through the opening i, one of the six possible
permutations of which these three digits admit.
When the instrument is to be used for letter cipher, each ring of the roller A
must be turned until each digit of some code or series preconcerted between the
correspondents is uppermost in its proper position and the nine rings must then be
clamped in position by a pin or screw provided for the purpose. The rings of
roller B, must be turned separately until the digits 2, 3, 4 are uppermost in that

page_text: order and must then be clamped in that position. The roller C. must be turned
until some series or key preconcerted between the correspondents is uppermost.
Now, as every letter except Q in the alphabet of the type writer stands in a
column which has a number at its head and in a row which has a number to the
left any letter can be mentally symbolized by a double number, one digit designating
its proper column and the other its proper row. Thus A may be mentally
symbolized as 23, B. as 64 and so forth. These combined or co-ordinate symbols
of the letters may be called their constant symbols as neither the figure row of
keys nor the figure series to the left is variable. Furthermore as every column has
a variable number at its foot and every row a variable number to the right, each
letter can also be mentally symbolized by a variable double number, one digit.
indicating its proper column and the other its proper row. Thus, as referred to,
the variable series A and C, the symbol for A, will, with given position be 92, the
.symbol for B will be 74. This double set of co-ordinate symbols for each letter
will yield two ciphers for each letter. For example since the constant symbol
for A is 23 and since 23 with given position is the variable symbol for I, I may be
written as the first cipher of A, and, since with given position, 92 is the variable
symbol for A and is the constant symbol for O, O may be written as the second
cipher of A.
At any preconcerted interval the key can be changed instantaneously by turning
either of the rollers AC one or more places, and, since, nine changes will be
yielded by turning roller A and six by turning roller C, fifty four instantaneous
changes of key can be made.
At every change a new double cipher will result and the whole number of
ciphers possible with the same arrangement of the rings, or the same code will be
one hundred and eight. The number of codes or arrangements of the rings is
practically unlimited, amounting as it does, to more than three hundred and sixty
thousand.
In order to decipher a letter the reverse process will be necessary. Thus, if the
first order of the cipher were employed where the symbol of the original letter is
taken from the constant series, the letter I which has for its variable symbol 23
will be deciphered by A which has the same number for its constant symbol; if
the second order of the cipher be employed, where the symbol of the original
letter is taken from the variable series, the letter O which has for its constant
symbol 92 will be deciphered by A which has the same number for its variable
symbol.
The two last keys in the lowest row lettered ?, %, respectively, require notice.
They are never actually used in writing, but they will, of course, occasionally be
involved in the mental process required in ciphering and deciphering.
Thus, since,
in the given position 84 is the constant symbol for M and the variable symbol for ?
the cipher of M will, in one order of the cipher, be ?.
The operator instead of writing ? as the cipher may write Q, which his corre-
spondent, in deciphering, will mentally replace by ?. This can occasion no
ambiguity or difficulty. Again, since, in the given position, 34 is the constant-
symbol for X and the variable symbol for %, the cipher of X will, in the first
order of the cipher, be . Instead of writing %, the operator may write O. This
will cause a slight ambiguity, for O might be the cipher of either X or J;
but the correspondent would almost certainly see at a glance which to select, and
even if he made a wrong selection the error would be of no great importance.
It now remains to explain the use of the instrument in writing and reading figure
cipher.
In this kind of cipher the rollers A and B alone are used. The rollers A and B
must be set to the preconcerted code and key as in letter cipher: In the drawing
the code of roller B is 234, but it might be any one of the five hundred and four
permutations of which aine different digits taken three together are capable.
Any letter can now be ciphered into figures by writing its co-ordinate symbol as
referred to the two variable series A. B.

page_text: Thus F in the given position will be ciphered as 43 or the order of the digits
may be reversed and the cipher written 34. An instantaneous change of key can
be effected by turning either of the rollers A. B. at preconcerted intervals. Since
each roller with the same code or arrangement of rings yields nine changes of key,
eighty one instantaneous changes of key are possible, and as every change yields a
new double cipher, there are altogether one hundred and sixty two different ciphers
available in the same communication. The number of codes or arrangements of
rings is enormous amounting to nearly two hundred millions.
The process of deciphering is obvious. The operator writes the letter which
has for its symbol referred to, the two series A. B, the double number in
question.
Thus for the given position, in the first order of the cipher, 43 will be deciphered
as F, in the second order 34 will be deciphered as F.
The drawing Figure 1 accompanying my Provisional Specification illustrates the
application of the invention to any type-writer in which the keys are arranged in
four rectlineal parallel rows. It is however equally applicable to type writers in
which the keys are differently arranged.
It is obvious that a cryptographic instrument, to be used independently of a
type-writer, can be constructed on precisely the same principles as have been set
forth and illustrated in the foregoing description and accompanying drawing
(Fig. 1). The letters of the alphabet can either be inscribed on a card or slate,
or on moveable dies, and can be arranged in any order, variable at pleasure. Nor
will it be necessary to adhere to the division into rows and columns of letters, or
to the number of digits in each series, shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 shews a compact
and convenient arrangement for a cryptographic instrument, or card. Here twenty
five letters are employed, V. V replacing W.
These twenty five letters are arranged in a perfect square of five rows or columns
each way. The series of figures constituting the constant co-ordinate symbols of
the letters are inscribed above and to the left of the alphabet.
The series constituting the variable co-ordinate symbols are inscribed on either
rollers, or slides, working in such a way that a series, which can be instantaneouly
changed by moving the roller or slide upon which it is inscribed, always appears
below the alphabet, and another series variable in a similar manner always appears
to the right.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus such as described, the application of numerical scales or series
to the alphabet of a type-writer or other instrument for writing cipher, whereby
variable co-ordinate symbols are assigned to the letters, and a cipher either in
letters or figures obtained as the result.
2. In apparatus such as described, the inscription of the numerical scales on
rollers or slides, thereby providing for constant change of key in the same
communication.
3. In apparatus such as described the construction of the rollers in separate
sections or rings, revolving separately on the common axis thereby providing for a
practically unlimited change of code without altering the alphabet of the type
writer or other cipher writer.
Dahi 19th da of Ontahan 1901
JAMES STEVENSON.