MACHINE-LANGUAGE PRODUCING TYPEWRITER FOR OVERSEAS INSTALLATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110029-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: June 16, 1961
• Content Type: MF

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CODIB-D-85/2
16 June 1961
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, United States Intelligence Board
SUBJECT:
Machine-Language Producing Typewriter for Overseas
Installations
REFERENCES:
(a)
(b)
(c)
USIB-D-39, 5, 1 Mar 61; subject: CODIB Progress
Report
USIB-M-144, 7 Mar 61, item 9
IBSEC-PR/2, 5 May 61 to USIB; subject: Report
of the Security Committee in Implementing 1.
Recommendation No. 42 of the Joint Study Group
Report re "Foreign Intelligence Activities of the
United States Government" dated 15 December 1960
1. Your Committee on Documentation (CODIB) reported in reference (b)
the stops it was taking to coordinate Service and departmental plans for using
flexowriter-type equipment (i. e. , typewriters producing a machine-language
by-product) in overseas.posts. The USIB endorsed these steps (reference (s) )
and conveyed its sense of urgency for resolution of the flexowriter security
problem (viz., line and air radiation) to the Communications Security Board
in a memorandum from the Executive Secretary, USIB to the Executive Secretary,
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USCSB dated 13 March 1961. The security problem was also considered. by
the US113 Security Committee as reflected in reference (c), which states that
the problem now rests with the USCSB's Committee on Compromising Emanations.
2. CODIB 'has proceeded as far as it can in developing compatible second-
generation equipment requirements (the first generation being the Flexowriter
machines now in use or on order). A. statement of Intelligence Community
requirements has been formulated by a CODIB working group and is enclosed
as Attachment 1. The basic issue to be resolved is the identification of the
authority in the U. S. Government best able to act in the interest of the
Intelligence Community as a whole in contracting for the development of a
secure remote systems input device (typewriter) which meets agreed
Community requirements as stipulated in Attachment 1.
3. CODIB feels that the USIB is the proper authority and, with the NSA
member abstaining, that the National Security Agency Is the Community member
best qualified to serve as the contract agency on USIB's behalf, to negotiate
with industry for development of a secure device which also meets the systems
requirements specified. CODIB recognizes that such common concern
activity in the information processing field may be considered to be outside
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16 June 1961
NSA's charter, but suggests USIB designation of NSA for this role in view of
that agency's special competence o
Recommendations
4. It is, therefore, recommended that
(a) the USIB approve the CODIB-developed statement of "USIB
Equipment Requirements for Remote Systems Input Device" ('Attachment 1);
(b) in view of the urgency and interest to the Intelligence Comrnutiity
as a whole, the USIB accept the central authority role in promoting
development of the required device;
(c) the USIB designate NSA as the contract agency to negotiate with
industry for development work for a secure device which meets the
Community requirements, and direct NSA to keep CODIB and USIB
advised on progress at frequent Intervals;
(d) appropriate research and development funds be made available for
the work involved;
(e) the USIB direct that work commence as soon as general security
specifications can be developed in adequate depth;
(f) when this device becomes available, meeting as closely as possible
the statement of Community requirements, no other new typewriter be
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procured for typing classified information at diplomatic or jointly used
installations abroad.
(g) the USIB acknowledge and reiterate its concern with USCSB
efforts to resolve the security problems of the presently held Flexowriters
25X1
PAUL A. BOREL
Chairman
Attachment 1
USIB Equipment Requirements for Remote Systems Input Device
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Attachment 1
USIB EQUIPMENT 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 formu-
lated by the USIB/CODIB Working Group on Remote Systems Input. The re-
quirements 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-
2. Objectives:
as 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 depend-
ing 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 trans-
mission to the reporting activities.
3. Requirements for Input/Output Typewriter:
a. The typewriter should be able to produce a machine process-
able 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 auto-
matically 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. The typewriter should be
designed to require the minimum exercise of operator judgment.
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d. Equipment easy for average typist to use, including provi-
sion 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.
4. Coding Requirements: ..
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 exceed-
ing 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 communica-
tions equipment. For planning purposes it is. assumed that 5-channel
communications equipment will still`be in general use at diplomatic and
other jointly used installations abroad in 1965. Communications coding
requirements 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.
5. Other Considerations:
Features which should be weighed in evaluating the merits of
competing devices include:
a. Office Use - equipment should be quiet, compact and durable.
b. Maintenance - telecommunications wire technicians, or their
equivalent in technical skill, should be able to maintain the equipment
with a few weeks' special training.
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