A Test That Changed Everything
In 1945, Angie Nanni, a Pennsylvania woman with a knack for numbers, took a math test at a secret government facility in Arlington, Virginia. The test involved “non-carrying” subtraction, a concept she had never encountered before. But Angie’s natural aptitude led her to finish the test first, catching the attention of her supervisors. She had just passed the first hurdle to join a top-secret code-breaking project.
Joining the Venona Project
Angie was recruited into the Venona project, a U.S. effort to decode Soviet spy communications during and after World War II. Alongside other women, Angie worked tirelessly on decrypting Soviet messages, playing a crucial role in unmasking spies like Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and British intelligence officer Kim Philby. Their work remained so classified that even President Truman likely didn’t know about it.
A Life of Secrecy
Angie and her colleagues maintained their silence for decades, never discussing their work with family or friends. The Venona project was declassified in 1995, but Angie, now 99, still speaks sparingly about her contributions.
The Quiet Legacy
Although the Venona project’s public face was male, women like Angie were the backbone of this extraordinary code-breaking effort. Their meticulous work unmasked critical Soviet spies, but they never sought recognition.
The Secret Math That Changed History 🧮
A Test That Changed Everything
In 1945, Angie Nanni, a Pennsylvania woman with a knack for numbers, took a math test at a secret government facility in Arlington, Virginia. The test involved “non-carrying” subtraction, a concept she had… pic.twitter.com/KKu4jV5MkT— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TBBOB2) September 16, 2024