A Greek Skytale

Ancient Greeks invented the “skytale” (rhymes with Italy), which was a stick wrapped with narrow strips of papyrus, leather, or parchment. The message was written on the wrapping; then the strip was removed and passed to the messenger. Only when it was rewound around a stick with the exact same diameter as the skytale could the message be deciphered.

To Make a Skytale

1. Choose a rounded stick like a wooden dowel, broomstick handle, or even a paper towel roll.
2. Cut two or three one-inch wide strips of plain 8.5 x 11” paper and tape them together to form one long strip.
3. Tape one end of the strip at a diagonal at the top of the stick and wind the rest down in a spiral, keeping the strips close together. Tape the other end down.
4. Write a message down the stick vertically, placing one or two letters on each piece of paper.
5. Unwind the paper and give it to a friend with instructions on how to decipher your message. Be sure to tell him or her the exact diameter of your skytale.