Herbert Yardley

Herbert Yardley was an American cryptologist and author. He founded and led the cryptographic organization known as "The Black Chamber" during World War I, and later wrote an influential book on cryptography called "The American Black Chamber."

"The Black Chamber" was the name of the first peacetime cryptanalytic organization in the United States. It was established by Herbert Yardley in 1919, and its mission was to decode and decipher diplomatic and military codes used by other countries.

In his book, "The American Black Chamber," Yardley provided a detailed account of the operations of "The Black Chamber" and the methods used to break codes and ciphers. The book also discussed the impact of cryptography on international diplomacy and highlighted the importance of codebreaking in national security.

"The American Black Chamber" received both acclaim and criticism when it was published in 1931. Some praised Yardley's revelations about the secret world of cryptography, while others accused him of betrayal for exposing classified information. The book remained widely read and influential, playing a role in shaping the field of modern cryptanalysis.

After the publication of "The American Black Chamber," Yardley faced backlash from the U.S. government and struggled to find employment. He eventually moved to Shanghai, where he continued to work as a cryptanalyst, providing his services to various governments, businesses, and individuals. Herbert Yardley lived in Shanghai until his death in 1958.