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Here is a list of past presentations at ICCH. The most recent presentation is at the top. Click on each listing to reveal more information below, including the speaker, presentation description and to access recordings.
Note: Effort has been made to ensure that the information on each presentation is accurate and up-to-date. To suggest a correction please contact the ICCH webmaster Patrick Hayes at .
Cryptology played a crucial role in the Civil War, but historically this role has been under-appreciated and overlooked. The new invention of electric telegraphs, as well as aerial telegraphs using flag and lantern signalling, meant the generals had much better information and control in executing their battlefield strategy. This advantage, however, introduced the risk of having those signals easily intercepted by the enemy. This new innovation of immediate battlefield communications as a strategic advantage was leveraged by the generals on both sides of the war. Ensuring the security of your own messages and breaking your enemy’s messages was the new battlefield of this secret war. The contest between code maker and code breaker was a battle of wits that would have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for the soldiers on the field.
January 9, 2021
Here is a list of past presentations at ICCH. The most recent presentation is at the top. Click on each listing to reveal more information below, including the speaker, as well as the presentation date and description. Presentation recordings are available separately, in the ICCH Portal.
To view upcoming ICCH presentations, click here.
Note: Effort has been made to ensure that the information on each presentation is accurate and up-to-date. To suggest a correction please contact the ICCH webmaster Patrick Hayes at [email protected].
Cryptology played a crucial role in the Civil War, but historically this role has been under-appreciated and overlooked. The new invention of electric telegraphs, as well as aerial telegraphs using flag and lantern signalling, meant the generals had much better information and control in executing their battlefield strategy. This advantage, however, introduced the risk of having those signals easily intercepted by the enemy. This new innovation of immediate battlefield communications as a strategic advantage was leveraged by the generals on both sides of the war. Ensuring the security of your own messages and breaking your enemy’s messages was the new battlefield of this secret war. The contest between code maker and code breaker was a battle of wits that would have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for the soldiers on the field.
January 9, 2021
