Babbage and Kasiski, re. Vigenere



It's general knowledge that Kasiski was the first to publish an attack on
the Vig, in 1862, but that Babbage had known and used the method in 1854.

E.g.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasiski_examination

Is that knowledge correct?

That is, it's clear that Babbage knew of some attack on the Vig, because
he demonstrated his ability to crack a Vig cryptogram. But is it known
for certain that the method he used was that later described by Kasiski?

Or is that simply an assumption? Kahn has little to say regarding
Babbage's methods, save that Babbage had an interest in statistics and on
at least some instances relied on probable word methods.

The only cryptographic writings of Babbage I am aware of is a chapter on
"Picking Locks and Deciphering" from his "Passages from the Life of a
Philosopher", and in that he says nothing about it.

Did Babbage ever state that the method he had used in 1854 was the same
as or similar to the method that Kasiski published in 1862? Do we have
any actual knowledge on the subject? Or is this simply an unfounded
assumption?

--
I don't believe in conspiracy theories - I have too much faith in human
stupidity.
.


Quantcast