The Spartan Scytale

This is our first entry of the Secret Journal; it will be showing how to create a simple way to pass on secret information.

This cipher is called Spartan Scytale, it doesn’t historically have anything to do with Ancient Greece but it is useful and simple.

How to use the Spartan Scytale

1. Find two identical pencils and cut out thin strips of paper, wide enough to fit a letter. You might need help from an adult. 2. Then, tape one end of the paper close to the eraser and wind the piece of paper around the pencil, like shown in the picture. 3. Now you can write your message, crossing the breaks in the strip, and always on one side of the pencil as shown. 4. Remove the message from the pencil. 5. Give a fellow agent the identical pencil and the strip of paper where the message is on. The message will look like nonsense to anyone who doesn't know the code. 6. The agent can now tape the strip of paper close to the eraser, wind it around the pencil and read the message!

More will be coming from the Secret Journal, and stay tuned for more!