Herbert Yardley

Herbert Yardley
Yardley worked as a cryptologist, directing the first formal code-breaking team for the US government during WWI. After the war, he worked with a group of cryptologists funded by the State Department in New York City. The group was later disbanded due to hostility and lack of support from public officials. One even stated, “Gentlemen do not read each other’s mail” in regards to Yardley’s team. In 1931 Yardley released his book “The American Black Chamber” detailing the inner workings of his group of cryptologists. In response to his book, 19 nations changed their diplomatic codes. [1 ]