A Brief History of Cryptology

A subject that affects everyone in the computer age

Accessible general history

Most of us experience the interactions of cryptography, communications, and computers as we go about our daily activities. While on our laptops, we conduct secure financial transactions and communicate about business and personal matters. But not long ago, only people with special security clearances working at secured communications centres had such access. This book looks at how this dramatic transition came about.

J. V. Boone presents a historical overview of technological developments in cryptology and the closely associated fields of communications and computers. He identifies milestone accomplishments and activities in the three fields to provide an introduction to the talented people who have led developments and applications. He includes illustrations to give a feel for the equipment and systems, but his books focus is on the essential ingredient for success in cryptology: brainpower. Everyone from high school students to policy developers in government and industry will be drawn to this concise history of the joint progress of cryptology, communications, and computers. Although he writes primarily from a military intelligence and command/control viewpoint, there are no involved explanations about how individual pieces of equipment function and no elaborate mathematical presentations.

J. V. BOONE, a former US Air Force officer, worked at NSA for many years, including serving as deputy director for research and engineering and later was vice president and general manager of the Electronic Systems Group at TRW Inc. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.