The American Cryptogram Association (ACA) is an American

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

organization devoted to the

hobby A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other ...

cryptography Cryptography, or cryptology (from "hidden, secret"; and ''graphein'', "to write", or ''-logy, -logia'', "study", respectively), is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of Adversary (cryptography), ...

, with an emphasis on types of codes, ciphers, and

cryptograms A cryptogram is a type of puzzle that consists of a short piece of encryption, encrypted text. Generally the cipher used to encrypt the text is simple enough that the cryptogram can be solved by hand. Substitution ciphers where each letter is ...

that can be solved either with pencil and paper, or with computers, but not computer-only systems.

History

The ACA was formed on September 1, 1930. Since some of its members had belonged to the “ National Puzzlers' League”, some of the NPL terminology ("nom," "Krewe," etc.) is also used in the ACA.History ACA

Publications and activities

The association has a collection of books and articles on cryptography and related subjects in the library at

Kent State University Kent State University (KSU) is a Public university, public research university in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university includes seven regional campuses in Northeast Ohio located in Kent State University at Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Kent State ...

. An annual convention takes place in late August or early September. Recent conventions have been held in

Bletchley Park Bletchley Park is an English country house and Bletchley Park estate, estate in Bletchley, Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire), that became the principal centre of Allies of World War II, Allied World War II cryptography, code-breaking during the S ...

and

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale ( ) is a coastal city located in the U.S. state of Florida, north of Miami along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the county seat of and most populous city in Broward County, Florida, Broward County with a population of 182,760 at the ...

. There is also a regular journal called “''The Cryptogram''”, which first appeared in February, 1932, and has grown to a 28-page bimonthly periodical which includes articles and challenge ciphers.

Notable members

* H. O. Yardley, who used the nom BOZO, first Vice President in 1933. * Helen Fouché Gaines, member since 1933, who used the nom PICCOLA, editor of the 1939 book ''Elementary Cryptanalysis''. *

Rosario Candela Rosario Candela (March 7, 1890 – October 3, 1953) was an Italian American architect who achieved renown through his apartment building designs in New York City, primarily during the boom years of the 1920s. He is credited with defining the cit ...

, who used the nom ISKANDER, member since June 1934. * David Kahn, who used the noms DAKON, ISHCABIBEL and more recently Kahn D. * Will Shortz, ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' Puzzle Editor, who uses the nom WILLz. * David Shulman,

lexicographer Lexicography is the study of lexicons and the art of compiling dictionaries. It is divided into two separate academic disciplines: * Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionary, dictionaries. * The ...

and

cryptographer Cryptography, or cryptology (from "hidden, secret"; and ''graphein'', "to write", or '' -logia'', "study", respectively), is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversarial behavior. More gen ...

, member since 1933, who used the nom Ab Struse. * James Gillogly, who uses the nom SCRYER. *

Gelett Burgess Frank Gelett Burgess (January 30, 1866 – September 18, 1951) was an American artist, art critic, poet, author and humorist. He was an important figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary renaissance of the 1890s, particularly through his ico ...

, American artist, art critic, poet, author and humorist, used the nom TWO O'CLOCK.

References

sci.crypt FAQ
part 10
Official ACA website

Nova Online,

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...

External links

* *
sci.crypt FAQ, part 9
{{Authority control Nonprofit hobbyist organizations based in the United States Cryptography organizations Puzzles Organizations established in 1930