Codebreaker

Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892-1980) was a pioneering American cryptanalyst who made extraordinary contributions to codebreaking throughout the 20th century. Often called "America's first female cryptanalyst," her work was crucial in both World Wars and during Prohibition, though much of it remained classified and unrecognized during her lifetime.

Key Contributions and Achievements:

* Early Career and Foundation of Cryptology: Friedman's journey into cryptology began at Riverbank Laboratories, where she was initially hired to investigate whether secret codes were hidden in Shakespeare's plays. It was there she met and married William F. Friedman, another prominent cryptographer. Together, they laid much of the groundwork for modern cryptology, developing new codebreaking strategies.

* World War I: She and her husband led the first-ever codebreaking unit in America, assisting the U.S. government in an unofficial capacity during WWI.

* Prohibition Era: During the 1920s and 1930s, Friedman worked for the U.S. Coast Guard and Treasur…