National Cryptologic Museum

09/09/2026

Always ready to pioneer new methods of problem-solving, Captain Grace M. Hopper made history on September 9, 1947, when she documented the first computer “bug.” A moth had gotten into the Harvard Mark II relay calculator, marking the first actual case of a “bug” being found.

From then on, the operators described the process as “debugging the computer”—a term still used today.

More: https://www.nsa.gov/helpful-links/nsa-foia/declassification-transparency-initiatives/historical-releases/view/article/3880193/capt-grace-hopper-on-future-possibilities-data-hardware-software-and-people-1982/

Photo credit: Smithsonian; Transfer from U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Strategic and Space Systems

09/07/2026

Boris Hagelin, inventor of the Converter M-209, died on this day in 1983.

The compact M-209 became one of the U.S. military’s most recognizable cipher machines, seeing service during World War II and beyond. But this little machine was anything but simple. Its six wheels and intricate mechanical system created more than 101 million possible combinations.

It also made him more than a million dollars. Hagelin sold the rights to this machine to the U.S. government, making him the first cryptologist to become a millionaire.

You can see the M-209 up close at the National Cryptologic Museum.

09/06/2026

September 6, 1941, Winston Churchill made his first visit to Bletchley Park, Britain’s top-secret wartime codebreaking center.

Bletchley was home to the effort to break German communications protected by the Enigma machine, Churchill understood just how important that work was.

The visit came months after the first American military delegation secretly visited Bletchley Park.

Explore the machines, people and partnerships behind WWII cryptology at the National Cryptologic Museum.

09/03/2026

08/26/2026

On August 26, 1892 one of America’s greatest cryptologic pioneers, Elizebeth Smith Friedman was born.

Long before computers, she used pure mathematical logic and language pattern recognition to break codes during WWI, crack Prohibition-era bootlegger spy networks, and smash N**i spy rings during WWII.

Exclusively on display at the NCM; a temporary exhibit featuring authentic ciphers Elizebeth personally worked on.

You can explore more of her fascinating legacy online, our archives feature her personal journal entries, hand-written letters, and original cryptanalytic notes.

https://www.nsa.gov/museum/

08/24/2026

🚨 MAINTENANCE NOTE| The NCM will be closed Monday, September 7th through Thursday, September 10th for scheduled maintenance.

We will reopen Friday, September 11th at 10am.

08/16/2026

🚨🗓 SAVE THE DATE!| Join us for the 12th Annual STEM Fest! Dive into a world of discovery where science, technology, engineering, and math come to life!

Get ready for hands-on exhibits, exciting activities, and industry experts that will spark your curiosity and creativity. This isn’t just an event; it’s an adventure for the whole family!

More: https://www.facebook.com/events/1094098823288415/

08/14/2026

in 1982, National Navajo Code Talkers Day was established to honor the Native American warriors whose unbreakable codes helped win WWI and WWII.

From the original 29 Navajo Marines recruited in May 1942 to campaigns across the Pacific, Code Talkers transmitted critical wartime messages without a single error or code breach.

Discover their legacy at the National Cryptologic Museum. Our exhibit features an authentic Code Talker uniform and other details about their service.

Can't visit in person? Explore our digital photo archives: https://5099.sydneyplus.com/final/Portal/Default.aspx?lang=en-US

08/12/2026

in 1981, IBM released the IBM PC, sparking a personal computing revolution!

While PCs hit living rooms, codebreakers relied on room-sized titans like the Cray-1 & Cray-2.

The Cray-2 ran so hot its circuits were fully submerged in a liquid coolant called Fluorinert!

Crazy thought: The smartphone in your hand today is 5,000x faster than a CRAY supercomputer and fits in your pocket! (The CRAY is several thousand pounds)!

Come see these giant pieces of computing history up close at the National Cryptologic Museum admission is always FREE!

08/10/2026

Ever heard the nickname, "No Such Agency?" The NSA has been shrouded in mystery since its inception, many people ask, “What exactly does the NSA do?”

This one-of-a-kind exhibit uses artifacts gathered from the Agency’s spaces to take people, “Behind the Fenceline,” shedding light on what happens inside NSA offices.... revealing a world that's surprisingly normal and incredibly fascinating.

MORE: https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/News-Highlights/Article/Article/4499608/new-temporary-exhibit-takes-visitors-behind-the-fenceline/