THE LOCATION OF THE BOMB?

9/13/2019

The Zodiac Killer mailed a bomb threat on June 26th 1970, stating "the map coupled with this code will tell you where the bomb is set." One month later, realizing the inadequate information he had provided, the Zodiac Killer mailed another communication stating "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + # inches along the radians", while adding some crosshairs with a black circle and the addition of SFPD = 0 alongside it. The overwhelming majority of the Zodiac Killer's communications were mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle and his taunting of the police heavily focused on the San Francisco Police Department from 1969 to 1971. If a bomb was to be set, then the Zodiac Killer was likely targeting San Francisco. He almost certainly never followed through on any of these threats, but it would be interesting to discover where his intended focus was, and find the solution to the 32 character code supplied on June 26th 1970. This topic has been covered before, but this will iron out a few problems experienced with previous articles.

The Zodiac Killer couldn't resist responding to the newspapers when he was asked to supply more details about his crimes, as demonstrated when he delivered the August 4th 1969 'Debut of Zodiac' Letter. He responded in a seven-page letter to refute the claims of Captain Martin Lee of the San Francisco Police Department, when his October 13th 1969 letter was disbelieved. He also wasn't averse to claiming various murders, disappearances and abductions that had featured in the newspapers. Despite this, the overwhelming consensus exists of a killer who remained resolutely silent on the workings of his three unsolved cryptograms or codes. However, there is every chance he gave us the exact wording that permeated the 340 cipher, to which he fashioned into the Halloween Card one year later. This was explored in the article Zodiac Admitted 340 Not a Real Cipher. I also believe he gave us the exact wording in the July 26th 1970 'Little List' Letter to solve the 32 character cipher a month earlier.

A radian value is approximately 57.3 degrees, which travel counter-clockwise. However, the Zodiac Killer placed a form of numerical clock face around the circumference of his crosshairs on the Mount Diablo map and stated that it be set to Magnetic North (about 17 degrees in 1970) - so it was considered that he had formulated his radians to run clockwise. The only radian value that can fall near San Francisco when a line is subtended from Mount Diablo, is 4 radians + 17 degrees = 246.2 degrees. Three and five radians doesn't fall anywhere near San Francisco. Therefore, a bomb set in San Francisco would have to be around the 4 radian + Magnetic North value. The bold, black circle present on the 'Little List' Letter crosshairs, falls in the region of 246.2 degrees - bearing in mind it is just a rudimentary sketch. Shown on the map above, is 2 radians counter-clockwise from True North (which would land at 245.4 degrees clockwise from True North). Both examples landing in the same region of the map. Daly City Police Department sits around 246 degrees from Mount Diablo, but resides in San Mateo County (shown by the red line). Ingleside Police Station (shown by the green line) sits closer to 249/250 degrees, but resides in San Francisco. If the Zodiac Killer had chosen a target in this region, we might expect the radian value to be only a rough guide. But it is clear, that if he is referring to a radian value, then it has to be a whole number - and it can only be 4 radians.

Likewise, the value of inches can only be 5, if we are referring to a bomb threat in San Francisco. The scale on the Mount Diablo map is 6.4 miles to the inch. Four and six inches (25.60 and 38.40 miles) both fall into the sea on the east and west coast of San Francisco. So, unless the Zodiac Killer was wearing scuba gear and was planning to blow up an underwater school bus, the value of inches had to be the whole number of 5. When 5 inches is subtended from Mount Diablo, it gives us a value of 32 miles (somewhere in the red box below, allowing for a small margin of error). This margin of error has also been applied vertically to encompass Ingleside Police Station, bearing in mind that SFPD = 0 threat. Whether the mention of SFPD in the crosshairs on the 'Little List' Letter implies a specific threat to San Francisco itself, or somewhere close to San Francisco is unknown - but the region of San Francisco seemed the primary focus of the Zodiac Killer's communicaions during this two-year period.

Now that we know a threat in the San Francisco region has to be subtended using the whole numbers of 4 radians and 5 inches, let us use the Zodiac's own words to complete the 32 character cipher, just like the words Paradice and Slaves from the Halloween Card was used to fill in the 340 cipher. The Zodiac Killer wrote on July 26th 1970: "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + # inches along the radians". But notice the hashtag.

The symbol # is most commonly known as the number sign, The symbol is described as the "number" character in an 1853 treatise on bookkeeping, and its double meaning is described in a bookkeeping text from 1880. The instruction manual of the Blickensderfer model 5 typewriter (c. 1896) appears to refer to the symbol as the "number mark". Some early-20th-century U.S. sources refer to it as the "number sign", although this could also refer to the numero sign. A 1917 manual distinguishes between two uses of the sign: "number (written before a figure)"; and "pounds (written after a figure)". Mainstream use in the United States is as follows: when it prefixes a number, it is read as "number", as in "a #2 pencil" (indicating "a number-two pencil"). The one exception is with the # key on a phone, which is always referred to as the "pound key" or "pound". Thus instructions to dial an extension such as #77 are always read as "pound seven seven". Wikipedia.

The Zodiac Killer could easily have left the phrase as "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + inches along the radians", but deliberately forced the hashtag into place to denote a number - that number being 5. The phrase would now read "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + 5 inches along the radians". We know that any threat on San Francisco had to fall in the 4 radians value, so we can complete the phrase: "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns 4 Radians + 5 inches along the radians". But because we have now added a specific "5 inches" to be subtended along the line of the 4th radian, the correct phrase would read "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns 4 Radians + 5 inches along the radian".
An alternative to this solution (where only the hashtag is replaced by the number 5), is "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + 5 inches along the radians". The Zodiac didn't necessarily have to incorporate the number 4 because we already knew the radian value from the bold, black circle provided on the Little List Letter crosshairs.

There is no way this code could realistically be solved with 29 unique characters and no key. But fortunately the Zodiac Killer realized this and gave us the answer one month later. He did the same with Paradice and Slaves in the Halloween Card, to help our understanding of the 340 cipher. So, where is the answer to the '13 Symbol' cipher mailed on April 20th 1970?

THE LOCATION OF THE BOMB [PART TWO]

9/13/2019 02:35:45 pm

Very interesting read, never stop updating this site, it's my go to, going to ponder on this articIe now

Richard

9/13/2019 03:55:49 pm

Cheers OH. I always considered the west side of San Francisco for his bus bomb threat on a school bus, and this proposed buried bomb, simply because of the communications he mailed regarding the murder of San Francisco police officer Brian McDonnell on February 16th 1970, who was killed when a bomb packed with fence staples exploded on an outside ledge of Park Police Station in the Upper Haight. As well as his focus on the Radetich murder and the murder of Paul Stine. All seem to focus the attention to the west side and somewhere he felt comfortable enough to secure an escape route from. But it's the code I really want to solve beyond doubt, which obviously is extremely difficult and problematic when 29 characters are set within its design. Because you can literally write anything into such a code, it's the convincing of other people that you have the right reason to be adding what you have. The code clearly contains direction to where the bomb is set, and since Zodiac stated "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + inches along the radians", then its a good bet these directions contain "radians" and "inches". Our job was to add values to these measurements - hence the Zodiac cramming the "number" hashtag into place, when he didn't really have to.

Richard

9/13/2019 04:04:51 pm

In effect, the Zodiac tells us the answer when he states "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + # inches along the radians". If the code doesn't contain "radians" and "inches", then there is little point for the large section of map and crosshairs, implying we need to extend something from Mount Diablo. Clearly, the answer lies on the left side of the map, and the only way to get to the location he has intended, is to use degrees and distance. In other words, radians and inches, which he has already given us.

Richard

9/13/2019 04:16:03 pm

Although I don't think Zodiac intended Candlestick Park Rubislaw, and we differ in approach on this cipher, it can be noted that a line drawn at 246.2 degrees to the area of Daly City from Mount Diablo, does run directly through Candlestick Park - as you've previously noted. The distance is 28.32 miles, which would be 4.43 inches on the map scale.

Richard

9/13/2019 04:36:27 pm

It would, however, be a notable threat site with maximum carnage if a bomb had been employed here. The site being used for baseball, bearing in mind that Oakland A's threat mailed on June 18th 1970, just 8 days prior to this threat, is a worthwhile argument. It is certainly an interesting connection, if Zodiac was implying an attack on two stadia in the latter half of June.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 05:11:18 pm

Yes....well of course,I am going to ''pipe up'' with that,which you positively highlight,Richard....indeed an interesting ''prospect'' over the ''hypothetical'' of ''two stadia'' in the ''frame'' [?].

In addition...that the Zodiac was drawing ''freehand'' in his follow-up letter....whih does make an '' 8 o'clock '' [...240 dgrees...] direction,from Mount Diablo [....close comparison to 246 degrees..],look quite ''persuading''.

And further,that this approximate '' 8 o'clock '' direction,would take in ''both'' the Oakland Colluseum ''and'' Candlestick Park.

But....''all this'' debate of where the bomb ''might'' have been hidden....I was wondering if anyone might like to comment.on whether they think it makes any difference to the debate....on the basis that the ''bomb'' was just a ''ruse''....as opposed to a ''real'' bomb [?].

Richard

9/14/2019 01:01:33 am

I suppose the answer to "whether it makes any difference to the debate", is does any Zodiac discussion make any difference, if we presuppose that only DNA will ever solve the story of who Zodiac was. The bomb angle (if ever remotely considered by Zodiac) clearly never materialized, so we are looking into the mind of Zodiac effectively and figuring out where his intentions for the bomb were focused. Once we nail down a definite location, we strengthen the opportunity to solve the cipher to more people's satisfaction. Even if we 100% solved every cipher to everybody's satisfaction, it still wouldn't resolve the case - just reveal a rambling or location probably distant from Zodiac's home address. I have long gone past the point of believing this case will be solved, but I know I speak for you and a lot of Zodiac enthusiasts, that it's the mysteries within the mysteries that provide the challenge. People just like finding answers to questions, regardless of whether they impact the case in a major way. This may very well be a fake bomb, but the map design certainly indicates he had pinpointed a location - and this location could open the door to a solution for the 32 character cipher for which nearly everybody is satisfied. There are countless solutions to the 32 character code and there is little agreement to the correct one (if any), but one day that may change.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 04:24:11 am

Thanks for your iinteresting comments,Richard...this idea whether the Zodiac really believed that he could convey the notion of a real bomb...or,that he assumed others would know it was false....but ''play along'' with the Zodiac,in order to procure more information,about him.

I ''presume'' the latter scenario...as in,wishing to know the identity of a professional wrestler,by watching him ply his ''pretend'' trade.Though I suppose that the authorities couldn't be seen to be taking the ''bomb'' as anything,but potentially a real threat [?].

I think that this is the moment,in the Zodiac's campaign,when the notion of becoming,a sort of adult comic compiler...began to appeal to him.But,with no one coming up,with a solution to Z32...it must have frustrated him.....and wonder if....he wasn't actually making these ciphers ''too'' difficult [?]....with the result of him defeating the purpose of the puzzles,in the first place.

9/13/2019 11:22:37 pm

That is a very unique solution, Richard, and makes perfect sense. In doing so, he was highlighting what he wanted everyone to see.

I am wondering about the bus bomb angle though, and the diagram with the mirror. I had been thinking about the cipher, and wondered if it said something like CALIFORNIA AVE TREASURE ISLAND etc (for Charlie Chan Dr Zodiac fans) or CALIFORNIA STREET etc. for California Street in San Francisco.

I don't know how it was back in the 1960s, but Google Maps now shows a school zone at Funston Ave (which, when going north, leads right into the Presidio). I do notice what looks like a nice park / green space at the intersection of Funston and California Street as well.

According to the diagram and letter, he buried a bomb and needed a mirror for activation. I suppose he could have easily set up a mirror outside somewhere. But I was also thinking that if he had access to a building, he would be able to set up and take down a storefront mirror any time as well.

Richard

9/14/2019 01:33:43 am

When I look at the revised bus bomb drawing in the April 20th 1970 letter, the slanted hillside on the right seems to indicate a road bordered by steep terrain as compared to his earlier drawing. The bomb can then explode closer to window height and also differentiate between a bus and small vehicle. Obviously, the whole concept is flawed because the design couldn't differentiate between a school bus or heavy goods vehicle etc. The Charlie Chan angle with Treasure Island would be a novel approach by Zodiac, had he fed off his own publicity. If you set the crosshairs to Magnetic North of 17 degrees, then ran counter-clockwise 2 radians, that would be +17 - 114.6 degrees (- 98 degrees approx from true north, which is 262 degees around the compass clockwise from true north). 262 degrees does run over Treasure Island, so can conform to a whole radian value. California Steet can also sit at 4 inches. The downside, is it doesn't conform to the Little List Letter black circle, which the Zodiac added to his correspondence a month later. This is a rough drawing, but it sits at approximately the 240-250 degree mark. I shall aim to get an exact identification for 246.2 degrees and 5 inches and four radians. It may be along the 280 and the Southern Freeway which is high banked on one side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7144406,-122.4508426,3a,60y,236.3h,91.25t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqwt0_uPkRF48kidGYw8piQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Richard

9/14/2019 01:46:02 am

Here is a mock-up I created JD.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/12_orig.png

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 04:39:08 am

Yes...well,looking at it,from a ''scale'' perspective,is an interesting proposition.

I just went for a ''presumed'' point of the basic question asked....which is ''reasoning'' behind the ''target''.Was the ''target'',because of money,religion,or recreation ?

Money [Bank of America...555 California St.],Religion [St.Mary's Cathedral],or Recreation [Candlestick Park].

And,the final one of the three,was a ''fit''.

It certainly ''had'' to be,in a ''built up'' area...and therefore assume ''The Big City''....San Francisco,itself.

Richard

9/14/2019 05:20:19 am

Zodiac's target would certainly have been designed for maximum fear, had anybody understood what he probably thought were relatively solvable clues, but clearly underestimated their encryption difficulty. The focus on San Francisco appears the strong bet based on his past communications with the Chronicle and SFPD, and financial and recreational targets seem a viable choice, designed to hit San Francisco where it hurts the most. The focus of the Oakland A's threat was most likely the stadium, which does make your Candlestick Park proposal just a week later, a plausible follow up threat. Or at least somewhere of high gathering. I tend to think his proposed targeting of schoolchildren or stadium were only chosen for the fear factor, knowing he never had the capabilities to ever implement the plan. The Zodiac, I highly doubt was somebody like Ted Kaczynski, because although his diagrams would work in principle, they were basic and ill-conceived. Ted Kaczynski was an extremely intelligent individual, but these bomb designs scribbled on pieces of paper were effectively schoolboy material - certainly not in line with somebody who could reasonably have been expected to follow through on such threats. Of course, the police had to take them seriously, because had they not and their bluff was called, the backlash would have seen heads roll. But I doubt many believe, as portrayed in the History Channel docudrama, that a bomb is still lying buried somewhere in San Francisco or Vicinity. Certainly not around Mount Diablo, which is where they focused on in the Zodiac docudrama. We can probably both agree Rubislaw, that no bomb was ever set - it was simply a ruse employed by a man to ramp up the terror, while ceasing his killing. 1970 was the year of the Zodiac communications height, but little in the way of anything to back up his endless claims. The statement of "I have grown rather angry with the police for their telling lies about me. So I shall change the way the collecting of slaves. I shall no longer announce to anyone. When I committ my murders, they shall look like routine robberies, killings of anger, + a few fake accidents, etc", probably the precursor to doing nothing, yet giving us the impression he was still as viable a threat as before.

Richard

9/14/2019 05:31:43 am

Although this bombing was probably not Zodiac, the bombing of Hunter's Point Police Station in January 1970 was only 1.3 miles from Candlestick Park. I am positive Zodiac would have been aware of this bombing, so if he had chosen Candlestick Park in the 32 character cipher, he may have selected the stadium in light of a bombing occurring nearby, thereby in his mind, giving the threat more significance. Unlikely, but not impossible.

https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/217280

9/14/2019 05:49:57 am

Thanks for the mock up, Richard! That is more in line with what he drew up.

I agree with you on the idea that he never intended to carry out such a threat. He made the threat about attacking kids and look what happened: he made the police and school system draw up and carry out plans to protect the bus children. By making the bomb threat, the police would similarly have to focus their attention on a possible bomb attack, diverting and wasting valuable resources. And getting attention, of course.

Shawn

9/14/2019 05:56:34 am

Wow...this is getting complicated and beyond my pay grade?

I guess I can be a simpleton at times (which Zodiac was at times) and a complicated mathematician sometimes. (which Zodiac seem to be at times) (which gives me a headache when trying to research).

Magnetic north at almost 17 reminds me of the 17 columns in his ciphers and the 17 characters in the first line of the bomb code.

I think Zodiac might have been bluffing with the "bomb code" and used rare terms (radians) (rarely what is taught in public schools) and gimmickry photoelectric bomb device probably found in comic books for police to take him seriously.

Plus didn't he say the bomb was a dud? because of all the rains. So did he keep it in his garage and never deployed the so-called bomb? which lends credence there was never a bomb. Just a bunch of excuses of why it could not be deployed or work.

There were ways (make homemade pipe bombs) or acquire pipe bombs from people like the Weathermen or Vietnam era landmines for straight forward proven bombs that work. Instead Zodiac came up with some gimmicky science fiction type bomb device that probably are prone not to work and was weather dependent. Maybe he was showing off.

Bottom line: The bomb design was a high tech gimmicky designed to impress rather than actually work. His complicated design gave him excuses to give excuses on why it did not work. if it existed at all.

To top it off he gave cops "Busy Work" with the code to find a bomb that probably did not exist because he had "street credit" as a proven a killer by then.

The search continues.

Richard

9/14/2019 06:29:37 am

The first line of the "bomb code" conformed to his usual 17 characters per line and in the 340 he supposedly filled the last 18 symbols on the 408 cipher to create uniformity and neatness in the design. If the Zodiac gave us true directions in the "bus bomb" code, then he is effectively constrained by those directions. Had they directed us to the location in 32 characters, then that is all he needed and used. lending some credence to its authenticity (unless it was a devious ruse to make it appear genuine). He stuck with 17 characters on the first line, but seemingly only required 15 on the second line - suggestive to me it had an intention. Zodiac wasn't a genius, but certainly was no fool, and must have understood that providing 29 unique characters in a 32 symbol code is unsolvable without a definite key, or alternatively tellingly us to answer. In the Little List letter a month later, he rambled on paraphrasing The Mikado verses, but deliberately and in contrast to the rest of the communication, changed direction completely, providing us with "P.S. The Mt. Diablo code concerns Radians + # inches along the radians". He now understood he had short-changed us a month earlier, and the plural usage of "radians" and "inches" suggestive of a location beyond the vicinity of Mount Diablo, somewhere likely in San Francisco and Vicinity. If the code concerned "Radians + # inches", then it likely contained radians and inches in its solution, with the hashtag denoting the value.

Richard

9/14/2019 06:32:23 am

Sorry for the incorrect grammar.

9/14/2019 05:56:44 am

And Hunters Point probably not Zodiac, but an interesting choice in light of the name in relation to The Most Dangerous Game idea.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 06:01:14 am

I had ''missed'' that,or forgotten about the Hunter's Point Police Station,Richard.Thanks for the reminder.

To me,there just seems so many ''cryptic'' clues,when of course,based on the laws of probability....there are an ''inadequate'' number of ''cryptographic'' clues that would confirm Candlestick Park,as being the ''dead cert'' solution.

On reflection,I believe that the Zodiac did actually approach this ''puzzle'' [Z32] as one where the clues offered,would be,as clues in a cryptic crossword puzzle.

And I think that,the more we ''branch out'' looking for clues of the Zodiac,being a possible extortionist,under different guises....the more we ''chance upon'' him,as a potential crossword puzzle ''buff''.

Not quite,with the ''devotion'' of the Hardens....but indications that,the Zodiac,as a ''hobby-ist'' had greater ''affinity'' with crosswords....than cryptograms.

9/14/2019 06:17:57 am

I agree Shawn. The whole diagram thing was in line with his mocking ways:

"If you cops think I'm going to take on a bus the way I stated I was, you deserve to have holes in your heads."

9/14/2019 06:28:59 am

But, then again, with the diagram, he could most certainly set up something similar to draw police attention and force them to investigate. Yesterday's version of what they call today, "swatting?" After all, we're talking about a man who dressed up in that get-up at Berryessa.

Richard

9/14/2019 06:40:39 am

There are some interesting features in the unbroken code - the idea it begins with "California", followed by "north". The last 14 characters reading left to right, "five" "inches" "west". Five (F + V), inches (H + C + E) and West (W). Bit of a stretch I know.

9/14/2019 07:11:16 am

Yeah, it's hard telling on that code, Richard. I think he definitely wanted his puzzles solved, and California North is quite an obvious clue, but so is your solution in the above article. I think he began giving so many clues that he ended up diverting everyone away from the solutions he wanted them to see.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 08:49:01 am

Certainly agree,on the ''too many clues''',JD....that's what he ended up doing,with a follow-up letter...attempting to focus,more simplistically,on his original ''target intention''.

But [!]...he ended up,throwing the word ''radians'' into to the mix of clues,already offered....which just threw another ''spanner in the works''.

I believe this whole notion of ''compass points'' does have some validity,in terms of ''general direction''of the ''phantom bomb'' placed.
But,there is also a ''red herring'' aspect to it,as well,with,for example,
''Mag.N'' alluding to ''Magnesium Nitrate'' in his shadenfreudal mind.

The Zodiac,I believe,made preparations,before he set out,on long car journeys.This would involve pulling out a road map,and really figuring out the journey required,in his mind.So,such general aspects,as ''Compass point direction'' would play a part,to an extent...if only in the extent of ''general awareness'',that made him feel comfortable.

So...with this ''bomb target'' puzzle,that manifests itself,in solving a 32 character cipher...there were a few aspects to his ''familiar habits'',thrown in for good measure,masquerading as ''clews''.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 09:14:30 am

'' Magnesium Nitrate'' is commonly employed,in horticulture,as a fertilizer....''and'' in Pyrotechnics,as a readily combustible chemical.

'' I keep it heeled in at Candlestick Park ''

[...The Zodiac's ''phantom'' bomb.....'' Dig it '' [?]...]

Richard

9/14/2019 11:12:26 am

Wasn't this an unusual story;

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Moon+Bay+Cir,+Wellington,+FL+33414,+USA/@26.6249911,-80.2276278,25m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88d92598b56f512d:0x1674a1e0c3779780!8m2!3d26.6262507!4d-80.2265756

9/14/2019 02:35:09 pm

There was this story too, of another vehicle found by a Canadian Teen:

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/09/09/canada-teen-gopro-missing-car-years/?noredirect=on

Richard

9/14/2019 03:03:07 pm

Cheers JD.

9/14/2019 02:52:51 pm

I'm not sure what you have with Candlestick Park, Rubislaw, but I certainly could see that as well, in place of California North.
?? CANDLESTICK PARK IT'LL BE A BLAST ?? That is if it has to do with a bomb. I can see it being a target. High profile at that.

I also see, instead of CALIFORNIA NORTH, CALIFORNIA AT NORTH something or other from there. California at North ? in San Francisco?

DRINK YOUR OVALTINE?

We're all probably on the right track, to a degree. If Richard hasn't already solved it with the radians, as in the article, then I would go with California North -- or California at North...etc. or Candlestick Park.

Richard

9/14/2019 03:05:30 pm

Now for the final cipher "My Name is FK.... I'm crackproof". Ad infinitum.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 03:15:01 pm

I always see the cipher solutions,as a potential source,of extra information....and not something ''competetive''.The tendency,of course,is to believe in one's own...but one should always be open,to alternatives.And,particularly,in the case,of the shorter ones.

There may be,one or two ''unconfirmed'' correspondences,that are forgeries of the real Zodiac.But I have yet to see a cryptogram,that is not the real Zodiac.In fact,a cipher or cryptogram....just about becomes a stamp of authenticity of the correspondence,that it appears in.....in my book.

Tom1

9/15/2019 07:04:23 am

Early on in my learning about this case I read some extensive research by Randall Clemons. He made the case for the bomb diagrams to be used as overlays on the map. Not sure I understood all of it, but it is fascinating material.

9/15/2019 09:01:57 am

I agree, Rubislaw. It shouldn't be competitive. And you're right about extra information that can be gleaned from all of the communications. When you understand it's individual parts, you begin to understand how to put it together. And when you have it in it's entirety, you have your man.

I really do believe Richard hit it on the head with the solution to the my name is cipher, no matter how silly it may have seemed to him at the time. Of course, if I'm wrong, then I'm fixing myself on an erroneous path to all the clues I glean from it. That's the rub, so to speak.

I also agree that Zodiac spent less time trying to create traditional ciphers deciphered by traditional means. It doesn't hurt to look at it from all the angles, but I believe, as I think you suggested, that these are more in line with word puzzles. Almost like the American game show: Wheel of Fortune.

A cipher is anything you want it to be, really. There may be rules, but rules are always broken. You could easily change it up with a Playfair, Nicodemus, Caesar shift... or create something no one has seen before. It certainly can be the phone book, or stamps. It doesn't have to be complicated, just something everyone else isn't used to dealing with. Or, just go with simple substitution.

I don't believe the key to the above cipher is found in any of the other ciphers, and probably not in any book on ciphering. Therefore, you have to use what information he provides in his communications. Richard's solution could be valid. I tend to think that Zodiac purposely made what appears to be California and north stand out because that's what those particular symbols spell out. They're clues within the puzzle, to drive you to the solution of the other symbols. And once you have the cipher solved, it is merely a piece of the picture puzzle that you have to fit elsewhere.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 09:36:51 am

Interesting comments from you,JD...and I particularly like the ''Wheel of Fortune'' analogy.Yes...the Zodiac seems to have offered up ''preparatory'' clues,as to the subject matter,of his cipher solutions....but that didn't necessarily mean that he would ''obey'' those clues,as perceived.A bit like the ''Wheel of Fortune'',really.

Personally,I think that the Zodiac's ''best'' humour,was saved for the cipher solutions....but that would firstly come down,to belief in those solutions.

The Zodiac's ''start'' - the 408 - was ''pi*s poor ''...but I believe that he picked it up,from there.culminating in the Scorpion cipher solutions.which are a ''tour de force'',in cleverness and warped humour.

Toots

9/15/2019 09:51:52 am

I think the whole "bomb" language was just a metaphor to either himself or his home address. "You'll have till next Fall to dig it up" could mean that he was going to move from his home, so if you want to catch me, do it before I move.

Just like Z mentioning that he was going to target school kids...I don't think that was his intention at all. But could his "But now school is out for the summer, so I punished them in another way." could have been a reference to arson of a school?

Did the 1970 Stinson Beach School that was destroyed by arson, occur during the Summer?

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 10:40:52 am

Yes..the ''Dig it'' expression was the initial ''gateway'' to find Candlestick Park,Toots.

It had just been annonced that the San Francisco Giants baseball team,would be sharing Candlestick Park,as home venue.....with The San Francisco 49 er's Football team....and the stadium's turf was about to be dug up,allowing for Astro Turf,in the Autumn.

Plus..The Beatles' last album,had just been released,with the track ''Dig it'' on it.....which was largely a rant,at the FBI and CIA.The band had just announced that they would be retiring...and it had been noted that their last concert had been performed,at Candlestick Park.

So..''current affairs'' may have influenced a possible Z32 solution [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 11:18:02 am

Nice spot on the arson attack on Stinson Beach School,April 20th 1970.

So,could have been an influence,on the Zodiac [?].

Steve Miller and Jerry Garcia,were ex-pupils....a rock link.

Roger

9/15/2019 07:57:00 pm

Zodiac was sitting back laughing at them. Was it here on that radian, was it there on that other radian, or was it really nowhere at all?

Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSZJufHv5kg

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