A secret decoder ring (or secret decoder) is a device that allows one to decode a simple

substitution cipher In cryptography, a substitution cipher is a method of encrypting in which units of plaintext are replaced with the ciphertext, in a defined manner, with the help of a key; the "units" may be single letters (the most common), pairs of letters, tri ...

—or to encrypt a message by working in the opposite direction. As inexpensive toys, secret decoders have often been used as promotional items by retailers, as well as radio and television programs, from the 1930s through to the current day. Decoders, whether badges or rings, are an entertaining way for children to tap into a common fascination with

encryption In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can de ...

, ciphers, and secret codes, and are used to send hidden messages back and forth to one another.

History

Secret decoders are generally circular scales, descendants of the

cipher disk A cipher disk is an enciphering and deciphering tool developed in 1470 by the Italian architect and author Leon Battista Alberti. He constructed a device, (eponymously called the Alberti cipher disk) consisting of two concentric circular plate ...

developed in the 15th century by

Leon Battista Alberti Leon Battista Alberti (; 14 February 1404 – 25 April 1472) was an Italian Renaissance humanist author, artist, architect, poet, priest, linguist, philosopher, and cryptographer; he epitomised the nature of those identified now as polymaths. H ...

. Rather than the complex polyalphabetic Alberti cipher method, the decoders for children invariably use simple Caesar cipher substitutions. The most well-known example started in 1934 with the

Ovaltine Ovaltine (also known by its original name Ovomaltine) is a brand of milk flavoring product made with malt extract (except in the blue packaging in the United States), sugar (except in Switzerland), and whey. Some flavors also have cocoa. Ovalt ...

company's sponsored radio program '' Little Orphan Annie''.CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT AND DECODER RINGS
Stephen A. Kallis, Jr. The show's fan club, "Radio Orphan Annie's Secret Society", distributed a member's handbook that included a simple substitution cipher with a resulting numeric cipher text. This was followed the next year with a membership pin that included a cipher disk—enciphering the letters A–Z to numbers 1–26. From 1935 to 1940, metal decoders were produced for the promotion. From 1941 on, paper decoders were produced. Similar metal badges and pocket decoders continued with the '' Captain Midnight'' radio and television programs. None of these early decoders were in the form of

finger rings A ring is a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry. The term "ring" by itself always denotes jewellery worn on the finger; when worn as an ornament elsewhere, the body part is specified within the term, e.g., earrings, nec ...

; however, "secret compartment" rings were common radio program premiums. In the early 1960s, secret decoder rings appeared—notably in conjunction with the ''

Jonny Quest ''Jonny Quest'' is a science fiction-adventure media franchise that revolves around the titular boy named Jonny Quest, who accompanies his scientist father on extraordinary adventures. The franchise started with a 1964–1965 television serie ...

'' television program sponsored by PF Shoes. A later, less ornate, decoder ring was offered by Kix Cereals. Today, high quality, stainless steel decoder rings for children and adults are being produced by companies such as Retroworks and

ThinkGeek ThinkGeek was an American retailer that catered to computer enthusiasts and "geek culture". Described as a "Sharper Image for sysadmins", their merchandise has been likened to "toys for adults, novelties designed to appeal to both your inner child ...

Messages

Ovaltine and other companies that marketed early decoders to children often included "secret messages" on their

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmi ...

shows aimed at children. These could be decoded for a preview of the next episode of the show.

Film references

The film '' A Christmas Story'' (1983) depicts the '' Little Orphan Annie'' radio show transmitting a secret message that deciphered to: "Be sure to drink your

", unlike the actual broadcasts' secret code segments, which usually previewed the upcoming episode. Decoder rings are mentioned by Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in ''

Last Action Hero ''Last Action Hero'' is a 1993 American fantasy action comedy film directed and produced by John McTiernan and co-written by Shane Black and David Arnott. It is a satire of the action genre and associated clichés, containing several parodies ...

''. A "Drogan's Decoder Wheel" is mentioned in the 1985 comedy movie ''

Spies Like Us ''Spies Like Us'' is a 1985 American spy comedy film directed by John Landis, and starring Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Forrest and Donna Dixon. The film presents the comic adventures of two novice intelligence agents sent to the Soviet Un ...

'' by characters played by Stephen Hoye and Dan Aykroyd. Laura Petrie mentions her husband Rob's "Captain Midnight Decoder Ring," in Season 5, episode 27 of ''

The Dick Van Dyke Show ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' is an American television sitcom created by Carl Reiner that initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961 to June 1, 1966, with a total of 158 half-hour episodes spanning five seasons. It was produced by Calvada Product ...

''.

References

{{reflist Encryption devices History of cryptography Mechanical puzzles 1930s toys

History

Messages

Film references

See also

References