The Evolution of Encryption
1917 CE - France
In 1917 the exotic dancer Mata Hari was convicted and executed as a German double agent in World War I. She came under suspicion when a German communication from Spain named Hari as one Germany's deep cover agents. The Germans knew the cipher in which the message was transmitted had already been broken by the French, and this was the only evidence linking Mata to treason. However, the war was going badly for France, and this may have played a part in her conviction.
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