Friedrich Kasiski: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m Dating maintenance tags: {{Fact}} |
Adding citation to his work in cryptography Tag: Reverted |
||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==Cryptography== |
==Cryptography== |
||
In 1863, Kasiski published a 95-page book on [[cryptography]], ''Die Geheimschriften und die Dechiffrir-Kunst'' (German, "Secret writing and the Art of Deciphering"). This was the first published account of a procedure for [[cryptanalysis|attacking]] [[polyalphabetic substitution]] ciphers, especially the [[Vigenère cipher]] (although it is possible [[Charles Babbage]] was already aware of a similar method but had not published it). The method relied on the analysis of gaps between repeated fragments in the [[ciphertext]]; such analysis can give hints as to the length of the [[key (cryptography)|key]] used. This technique is known as [[Kasiski examination]]. |
In 1863, Kasiski published a 95-page book on [[cryptography]], ''Die Geheimschriften und die Dechiffrir-Kunst'' (German, "Secret writing and the Art of Deciphering"). This was the first published account of a procedure for [[cryptanalysis|attacking]] [[polyalphabetic substitution]] ciphers, especially the [[Vigenère cipher]] (although it is possible [[Charles Babbage]] was already aware of a similar method but had not published it). The method relied on the analysis of gaps between repeated fragments in the [[ciphertext]]; such analysis can give hints as to the length of the [[key (cryptography)|key]] used.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wolfram|first=Stephen|title=A New Kind of Science|publisher=Wolfram Media, Inc.|year=2002|page=1086|isbn=1-57955-008-8}}</ref> This technique is known as [[Kasiski examination]]. |
||
The significance of Kasiski's cryptanalytic work was not widely realised at the time, and he turned his mind to [[archaeology]] instead. The later years of his life were spent at Neustettin ([[Szczecinek]]); [[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|the 11th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica]] cited a scholarly article by Kasiski in its entry on the town. Historian [[David Kahn (writer)|David Kahn]] notes, "Kasiski died on May 22, 1881, almost certainly without realizing that he had written a revolution in cryptology" (''[[The Codebreakers]]''). |
The significance of Kasiski's cryptanalytic work was not widely realised at the time, and he turned his mind to [[archaeology]] instead. The later years of his life were spent at Neustettin ([[Szczecinek]]); [[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|the 11th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica]] cited a scholarly article by Kasiski in its entry on the town. Historian [[David Kahn (writer)|David Kahn]] notes, "Kasiski died on May 22, 1881, almost certainly without realizing that he had written a revolution in cryptology" (''[[The Codebreakers]]''). |
||
Revision as of 18:48, 31 December 2020
Friedrich Kasiski | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 November 1805 polyalphabetic substitution ciphers. |
Major Friedrich Wilhelm Kasiski (29 November 1805 – 22 May 1881) was a German
archeologist. Kasiski was born in Schlochau, Kingdom of Prussia (now Człuchów
, Poland).
Military service
Kasiski enlisted in
Captain in November 1842. Kasiski finally retired from active service with the rank of Major on 17 February 1852.[citation needed
]
Between 1860 and 1868 he was the commander of a National Guard battalion.[citation needed]
Cryptography
In 1863, Kasiski published a 95-page book on
polyalphabetic substitution ciphers, especially the Vigenère cipher (although it is possible Charles Babbage was already aware of a similar method but had not published it). The method relied on the analysis of gaps between repeated fragments in the ciphertext; such analysis can give hints as to the length of the key used.[1] This technique is known as Kasiski examination
.
The significance of Kasiski's cryptanalytic work was not widely realised at the time, and he turned his mind to archaeology instead. The later years of his life were spent at Neustettin (Szczecinek); the 11th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica cited a scholarly article by Kasiski in its entry on the town. Historian David Kahn notes, "Kasiski died on May 22, 1881, almost certainly without realizing that he had written a revolution in cryptology" (The Codebreakers).
Publication
- F. W. Kasiski, Die Geheimschriften und die Dechiffrir-Kunst (Berlin, (Germany): E. S. Mittler und Sohn, 1863).
References
- David Kahn, The Codebreakers – The Story of Secret Writing, revised ed, Scribner, 1996. pp. 207–209.
- M. W. Bowers (pseudonym Zembie), "Major F. W. Kasiski – Cryptologist", The Cryptogram, Vol. XXXI(3) (January–February 1964) pp. 53,58–59.
See also
- List of cryptographers
- Topics in cryptography
- Kasiski examination
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- ISBN 1-57955-008-8.