The Wadsworth Coder: Hacking 1816

Eli Whitney Museum

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Friday, April 17, 2020

The Wadsworth Coder: Hacking 1816

Ages 9-12

Thumbnail of The Wadsworth Coder: Hacking 1816 project

Vacation Program

  • Friday, April 17, 2020
  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Designed for ages 9 to 12
  • By Andrew Sargent, Site Historian & Lead Educator

Writing is a code. It can deliver messages with open clarity. It can deliberately hide meaning. Eli Whitney's friend Decius Wadsworth devised a brilliant coding machine over 200 years ago.

• Construct simple letter substitution coders.
• Construct a working Wadsworth Cipher machine.
• Send secret messages that only your friend can read.


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