Joseph O. Mauborgne

Joseph Oswald Mauborgne was a U.S. Army Signal Corps officer, inventor, and cryptologist. His career linked radio communications, cipher equipment, and cryptanalytic work.

One-time-pad work

In 1919 Mauborgne developed a one-time-pad system with randomly selected key material, extending Gilbert Vernam’s teleprinter-cipher idea. When correctly used with truly random nonrepeating key material, the one-time pad is the classic example of perfect secrecy.

Operational cryptology

Mauborgne also worked on the M-94 cylinder cipher device, which the U.S. Army used for decades. His career illustrates the practical side of making and operating secure communications systems.

In memoriam

Mauborgne died in 1971. The National Security Agency later inducted him into its Cryptologic Hall of Honor.

Timeline

• 1881-02-26Born in New York City, United States.
• 1917Assesses weaknesses in an Army cipher-strip device.
• 1919Perfects a one-time-pad system.
• 1937Becomes Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Army.
• 1971-06-07Dies in Atlanta, Georgia.