THE CODE FOR 1,000s OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

On the day he or she is sworn into office, the U.S. president receives the world’s most powerful ciphers. Called the Gold Codes, they are printed on a plastic card similar to a credit card that is known as the “biscuit.” They allow the president to identify him- or herself as the authorized user of the football. Presidents carry the biscuit on their person day and night.