Final answer:
The block cipher described is the IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm), which operates on 64-bit blocks with a 128-bit key, consisting of eight transformation rounds and an output transformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The block cipher in question is the IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm). This algorithm was indeed published in 1991 and designed by James Massey and Xuejian Lai. It was intended to be a secure replacement for the older DES (Data Encryption Standard). IDEA operates on 64-bit blocks and utilizes a 128-bit key. The encryption process of IDEA consists of eight identical rounds of transformation followed by an output transformation, ensuring a high level of security.