About the Coded Ceiling
CIA Museum tells the Agency's history alongside a timeline of global events that helped shape the role and mission of CIA. Believe it or not, the ceiling above each section of the museum also tells a story through graphics and text that contain hidden messages.
In the coming weeks, we will share each of the six ceiling code panels for the first time. We hope you will enjoy learning about different forms of covert communication — you are also welcome to try your hand at decoding and translating the messages, although we will not confirm or deny the solutions.
For more information on the CIA Museum's coded ceiling, view The Coded Ceiling episode of The Debrief.
Morse Code
There is a hidden message in Morse code on the ceiling above the exhibition on the origins of CIA. This section provides an overview of the Agency's WWII predecessor organization, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the founding of CIA in 1947.
Can you find the Morse code nestled within the larger pattern of dots and dashes?
Dice Cipher
There is a coded message hidden in a dice cipher, which is designed to look like dominoes, on the ceiling above the exhibition exploring CIA's role in conflict in Southeast Asia.
As the threat of communism expanded into Southeast Asia, the US Government was convinced that if South Vietnam fell to communism, then all the neighboring countries would fall like a row of dominoes. CIA's all-source collection and analysis ultimately helped to refute the Domino Theory.
Can you solve this dice cipher?
Foreign Language
Foreign languages appear on the ceiling above the exhibitions on "Threats from New Quarters" and "New Missions, New Fronts."
In our rapidly changing world, countries and languages can increase in importance as intelligence priorities shift. To stay ahead of these critical changes, employees must have the language abilities and cultural expertise necessary to handle both current and emerging national security challenges.
Can you identify and translate these languages?
Binary Code
There is a message in binary code on the ceiling, representing current intelligence priorities and emerging technology.
CIA's mission has always been to provide timely and accurate intelligence to policymakers. As the volume of data available has grown exponentially, the Agency has grown its capability of processing this data to fulfill its mission.
Can you make out this binary code message?
