How to Make a Code Stick

The code stick was invented by the Romans. You can make your own code stick very easily and have fund sending and receiving secret messages with your friends.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A piece of paper
• Scissors
• A pencil to wrap the strip of paper around
• Tape
• A pen or pencil to write with

1. Cut a thin strip of paper from the side of a sheet of paper. A width of about one quarter to one half inch is good.

2. 

   Wrap the thin strip of paper down and around the pencil. Make sure the edges of the strip match up exactly as you wind the strip. Secure with tape at the ends so it doesn't slip as you write.

3. 

   Write your secret message down the sides of the pencil.

4. Unwrap the strip of paper. Unwound, it should look like random letters and make no sense at all. Send the strip to your friend.

5. Your friend should know to wrap the strip around a pencil. The letters should then look the same as when the message was written.

Tips & Warnings

• You can vary the diameter of the stick you use. As long as you and your friend have sticks of identical diameter, you will be able to read the code.