The means of exchanging ideas have never been so abundant. Modern communication includes television, radio, newspaper, telephone, cellular phone, twitter accounts, face book, you tube, IM, personal blogs, bumper stickers and many other options. Clothing has also become a form of communication, with shirts, pants, ribbons, message buttons, silicone wristbands or a silicone bracelet. Everyone has something to say and a way to express it. In the past exchanging information hasn’t always been this easy, and in some parts of the world it still remains difficult to freely express an opinion. There have been many methods of communicating secretlyinspired by historical events. Some of these techniques are very simple some are very intricate.

In ancient times there are accounts of messages being sent by slaves bearing tattoos under their hair. This required the shaving of the head, the tattooing of the message which wouldn’t be covered until the hair grew back. There are accounts of the Persian Invasion of Greece being leaked to the Greeks by a tattooed head. This was not a great method for sending important information. Slaves didn’t have multiple scalps to write messages on, so new slaves had to be used. The Greeks also used wax tablets to send secret messages. These tablets were a bit like dry erase boards. A message could be written, and then the tablet could be reused. Hidden messages would be concealed on the wood tablet behind the wax.

During World War II secrets were sometimes knitted into clothing like hats, scarves or sweaters. The knitters often created the message in Morse code. The message was knitted then turned into clothing. Often the bearer of the message was unaware that they were carrying a coded article of clothing. Messages were also stuck to envelopes on the back of stamps and delivered via post.

An extraordinary mode of war time communication was done by Native American Code talkers. much of the public knows about the Navajo code talkers in World War II, but many other tribal languages where used in World War II and World War I. Choctaw became a coded form of communication and helped turn the tide in the Meuse-Argonne Campaign in France. A captain overheard several men speaking Choctaw and created a system using the Choctaw language. Much of the credit for the victories was was claimed for the constancy of the code. Hitler took notice of the historical battles of World War I and sent historians to the States to decipher the Native American tongues. They were unable to successfully learn the all different languages and dialects. Many of the battles in WWII were effectively directed by Native American Code talkers.

Throughout the ages men and women have sought ways of communicate. TodayThe ability to communicate has been enhanced a thousandfold with the digital explosion. With every new invention, our ability to reach out into the world has been enhanced. With each new development the question was asked how to communicate secretly. Hidden messages can appear inciphers hidden in photographs or software. History has demonstrated that clandestine messaging increases with technological advancements and necessity. There always has been and there always will be secret forms of communication.

Connor Sullivan has noticed that wearing a customized silicone bracelet makes someone feel a part of the group. He purchased a case of customized silicone wristbands for his basketball team to sell as a fund raiser.