2003feb16. For this entire week I will be presenting telegraphic codes from “Greig’s Cipher Code: Commercial Oriental Products” which was published in 1920. Code books were used to reduce the length (and thus, cost) of business-related messages sent over the telegraph. An example of how these codes were used follows.
Message: BABEC ESHAN RORIW CELEN ADHOP RIKES ADCID HETIZ JAFUW BABEC Telegraph firm offer subject to prompt acceptance. ESHAN 500 cases. RORIW Dry cracked Walnut Meats, halves 30%, quarters and pieces 70%. CELEN January/February/March shipment from the Orient. ADHOP Referring to your offer. RIKES Singapore Black Pepper. ADCID We counter-offer for immediate reply by telegraph. HETIZ 18 3/8c. JAFUW f.o.b. cars Pacific Coast, duty paid.