VMs: Academic study areas...?

[Nick Pelling <incoming@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Petr,

At 21:25 06/07/2003 +0200, Petr Kazil wrote:
> Suppose that there was an academic study group for Voynichology. I think
> about a group like the "network theory and chip design group" that I was
> part of in University. In fact an ongoing research project, led by an
> experienced professor. What avenues would an academic person explore (and
> spend his resources on)? Each sub-project would have a finite and achievable
> an pulisheable goal. What would be the list of sub-projects?
>
> - European shorthands of the late Middle Ages

More specifically, European shorthand systems post-Tironian notae and 
pre-Bright's Characterie. This could perhaps be achieved by systematic 
study of marginalia, or (more likely) by studying the "cut-through" 
markings on the wooden backs of wax tablets (onto which most shorthand 
would have been written). This appears to be completely untapped.

> - Use of labels in early Renaissance herbals
> - Famous medieval hoaxes and their economic significance

In a more cryptographic vein, one might also consider:-

* Transposition ciphers pre-1500 (I've actually got most of a paper done on 
this, which I've been meaning to submit to Cryptologia but have never quite 
found the time).

* Steganographic/misdirecting ciphers (such as pair ciphers) pre-1500.

* Functional cipher families in the Milanese chancery (mapping the 
structural relationships between mechanisms used in the ciphers held there)

* The lost 1440 cipher ledger of Urbino (well, I haven't managed to find it 
yet). :-)

...or even...

* An academic history of early modern plumbing.

I'm sure there are many, many more possibilities...

Cheers, .....Nick Pelling..... 


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