by Xinyi Zhang

This episode explores the arguably most complex hand-generated cipher: the VIC cipher. Curious to know how? Tune in to learn about the mechanics of the VIC cipher, the breaking of this cipher and its role in history. It all starts with little Jimmy dropping his nickel…

References:

Columnar Transposition Cipher. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2018, from
http://practicalcryptography.com/ciphers/columnar-transposition-cipher/

Dankovich, R. (2014). Handwritten Russian Cipher Stumps FBI. Retrieved October 30, 2018, from http://derekbruff.org/blogs/fywscrypto/historical-crypto/handwritten-russian-cipher-stumps-fbi/

Hollow Nickel/Rudolph Abel. (2016, May 18). Retrieved October 30, 2018, from
https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/hollow-nickel-rudolph-abel

Khan, D. (2008, July 01). Number One From Moscow. Retrieved October 30, 2018, from
https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol5no4/html/v05i4a09p_0001.htm

Simmons, G. J. (2011, May 10). Transposition Cipher. Retrieved October 30, 2018, from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/transposition-cipher

Straddle Checkerboard Cipher. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2018, from
http://practicalcryptography.com/ciphers/straddle-checkerboard-cipher/

Music Sources:

• Typewriter Sounds
• Phone Dialing
• In Another Life
• In the Orange Garden
• Zen Spring
• Sunrise
• Zen Stone
• Reading of Numbers by Jerry Ji

Special thanks to Jerry Ji, JoJo Dong, and Leah Strickland for script edits.