MACHINE-LANGUAGE PRODUCING TYPEWRITER FOR OVERSEAS INSTALLATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110028-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: August 8, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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CODIB -D-85/3
Limited Distribution
8 August 1961
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION .
1. The USIB on 25 July acted on CODIB's recommea
developing a xnaohine-Ia~tgusge plc ~ lotions for
overseas Installations (USID-D-39.5/8, 7 J, iter suitable for use in
the USIB minute reads As recorded in US1B-M-166,
"Following discussion with Mr. Bore, and
noted the COMB memorandum on problems relevant to the devthe Board
elopment
of a machine-language producing typewriter suitable for use in overseas
Installations (attachment to USIB-D-38.
developed Statement of 'U$IB 5/8) anapproved the CODIB-
Equipmeut Requirements for Remote Systems
Input Device' (attachment 1 to above CODIB memorandum). also that these requirements should be forwarded to the DepaIt was
rtment of eed
Defense for appropriate further action, Including on research and develop-
meat and security aspects of the problem,,'
2. Attached for Information is a
copy of the letter from Mr. Dulles to
Secretary McMammara transmitting the USIB guidance and requesting DOD action.
Attachment
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0 CODIB-D-85/3
p Limited Distribution
Y 8 August 1961
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
W:sbingtae 28, D. C.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
29 July 1981
The Honorable Robert S. McNamara
The Secretary of Defense
Washington 26, D. C.
The United States Intelligence Board has for some time been concerned
about the security problems attending the use of flexowriter-type equipment
for intelligence purposes. We have on several occasions re-emphasized the
need for resolving this problem to the Communications Security Board.
As. you know, this type equipment produces message tapes as part of the
typing process. These tapes can in turn be fed into communications equipment
and also serve as machine language input into intelligence data processing systems.
Provided the security problem can be overcome, flexowriter-type
machines will be used increasingly at medium-sized and small foreign posts,
by the State and Defense Departments as well as CIA. We should therefore
seek to avoid multiple maintenance problems at these posts, to simplify physical
security arrangements and inspections, and to facilitate mutual use of equipment
In case of breakdowns.
To that and the Intelligence Board has formulated and approved the attached
statement of USIB Equipment Requirements for Remote Systems Input Device.
A close relationship exists between the research and development required
to obtain the needed equipment and the solution of the communications security
problem in its use.
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Since the Department of Defense is executive agent for communications
security matters. the Intelligence Board concluded that our requirements should
be sent to you. It Is the Board's hope that you can promote the development of
this device so that the Intelligence Comnumity can at the earliest possible date
standaridse on a piece of equipment which is not only more versatile than presently
available commercial models but also free of unacceptable security hazards.
Moreover, I understand that there are many applications for this equipment outside
the intelligence area.
General Erskine and Mr. Dailey of your office are well aware- of the Board
objectives and the problems Involved. My own staff is of course available to
work with your representatives should additional Information be required.
Sincerely,
STONED
Allen W. Dulles
Director
Attachment
USIB Equipment Requirements for Remote Systems Input Device
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 USIBUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR REMOTE SYSTEMS INPUT DEVICE
1. This is a statement of USIB requirements for an input device to be used
in typing classified information at diplomatic establishments and other jointly
used installations abroad. The statement has been formulated by the USIB/CODIB
Working Group on Remote Systems Input. The requirements listed include those
common to all participating agencies, as well as those of major significance to
one or more agencies. They will be the basis for developing agreed engineering
specifications for a common use machine which will be operable by 1965.
a. To produce reports in a machine processable language and medium
as a byproduct of the original typing by the reporting activity.
b. To transmit this information to the processing centers concerned
for further dissemination, the mode of communication depending on the urgency
of the information contained in the report.
c. To put the reports into EDP systems with a minimum of human
intervention.
d. To use the same equipment to prepare information for transmission
to the reporting activities.
a. The typewriter should be able to produce a machine processable
language on a medium such as paper or magnetic tape as a byproduct of typing,
and should be able to automatically type when reading this byproduct at a speed of
120 words per minute or faster.
b. Standard four-bank keyboard with upper and lower case letters, digits,
and those typing and programing functions, and special characters, which are
determined during the preparation of engineering specifications to be needed by
each agency. See example of keyboard layout attached.
c. Provision for programing; that is, the capability for automatically
controlling the functioning of. the typewriter, including the automatic typing of
repetitive and control data, to insure formating of records to be processed into
an EDP system. 1'he typewriter should be designed to require the minimum
c..crcise of operator judgment.
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L I h .irIl
d. Equipment easy for average typist to use, including provision for
a simple and easy method for correcting the machine language byproduct of typing.
e. Safeguards against interception of information.
f. Safeguards against accidental or deliberate erasure of reports in
transit, if magnetic storage is involved.
A coding structure is required which can carry the full range of information
typed through both the telecommunications and the data processing systems while
retaining the capability for reconstituting the original language, including the
distinction between upper and lower case, at the output terminal. This must be
accomplished without exceeding the internal limitation of 64 code combinations
imposed by the computer systems now planned by member agencies. This
includes provision for the direct acceptance of the machine byproduct into then-
standard communications equipment. For planning purposes it is assumed that
both 8- and 5-channel communications equipment will be in use at diplomatic and
other jointly used installations abroad in 1965. Coding requirements for
communications which must pass through 5-channel equipment include:
a. A 5-channel code which does not lengthen teletype message significantly.
b. A 5-channel code which is sufficiently compatible with the Baudot code
to make possible the monitoring of messages during handling by communications
personnel.
Features which should be weighed in evaluating the merits of competing
devices include:
b. Maintenance - telecommunications wire technicians, or their equivalent
in technical skill, should be able to maintain the equipment with a few weeks'
special training.
Appendix 1: General security Specifications for Equipment Development
Appendix 2: Illustrative Keyboard Layout - 4 Bank, 44 Keys
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