1. What is the origin (340) of the upper case "I" symbols with dots to the left or right?
2. What date was the 408 solution first published?
3. What evidence is there for some people’s theory that Z knew the "Groucho" version of the Mikado?
4. The Halloween card is a rich collage of materials. Is there a list of what was used? Did he paint symbols with white-out? or paint? what kind? The stippling of the symbols is interesting. (it’s the kind of thing you do when the paint is too thin… and you want it to be more opaque) How were things affixed? What kind of glue? What is the mask on the inner skeleton? What type of paper? Is it a cutout from a comic? Etc. Etc.
5. Is anyone working on a "cipher disk" or "scytale" model of solving 340? Seems that most attempts are grid based…
6. What context can we provide to the term "crackproof" from the late 60’s early 70’s. Where else did it appear and in reference to what?
(Was it used in code books? On TV? On radio?)
7. With all the hysteria, how did his letters always reach their target? He did nothing to disguise the contents of the envelopes – in fact the envelopes were fairly bold and assertive. Were any letters intercepted by police or the post office??? I find this strange.
8. Has anyone ever researched popular toy decoders from the area / timeframe? Maybe not as being used, but as inspiration.
9. The torture letter seems to offer a lot of clues like "salt beef". What do people make of the details? Are these actual forms of torture that have been used? And where?
10. I once found an image online of a "Paradice" hotel, I think on a page about Donna Lass. Does anyone know anything about it? I think his spelling "mistakes" are word games, things for him to play with, not actual mistakes.
11. I am curious how de-cipherement software "thinks". Can anyone provide a VISUAL explanation? (please no bar graphs or charts – I need images, or diagrams) I wonder, because it seems like we are really missing something.
2. August 2nd, 1969 – See article here: http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=1193
3. The Groucho version of the Mikado is almost word for word what Zodiac wrote. Discussed here: http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=216
4. Lots about the Halloween card would be guesses. I don’t think even LE knows what kind of glue or ink. The only thing I know about the mask on the inside is it’s a reference to "red mask"…like the rest of it was. See this thread: http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=1275
6. I believe the word "crackproof" wasn’t a term exclusive to Zodiac.
7. Some letters were noticed by others. I believe the Pines card was intercepted…just going off the top of my head.
8. Many have looked at toy decoders, cereal boxes, etc., myself included. For example:
viewtopic.php?f=81&t=1394&p=14943#p14943 …and here:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/zodiack … 6-s20.html
9. Some thoughts on "Salt beef" discussed here: http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.p … =salt+beef
10. Lots of discussion about the Paradice Motel. Try using the search function. Just a gambling towns play-on-words, imo.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
A prison disturbance broke out at Old Montana State Prison in 1959, detailed in an excellent book by Kevin S. Giles. In it he described the punishment meted out by prison guards at the jail, of "a cruelty that included extortion and beatings, that included blackjacks and iron pipes. Parolees came forward with tales of some convicts being tear gassed in their cells. Others hung Christ like from the bars in the hole, where handcuffs chaffed their wrists until they bled. In this dungeon men lived round the clock on bread and water diets. Stories got out that in some cases they got a surprise meal of pork, purposefully soaked in salt. Thirsty men cried out for more than two cups of tepid water that was allowed to them."
1: Look near the bottom of the wheel. Similar, and sort of takes us back to #8.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
wow thank you Tahoe and Richard
That Dick Tracy symbol is interesting…
Also that it’s on a wheel… I keep thinking maybe the 340 involves using a cipher wheel, but maybe he adds a simple step, like for every letter he turns the wheel 1 step. The kind of thing someone who’s not actually trained in the military would do. I don’t believe he was military trained in ciphers – otherwise 408 would have been different I think…
I can’t help but see Z as someone surrounded by books, records, comics, pencils, paper, rulers, etc…
You know… I also wonder, when we assume the wingwalkers mean military, or the cards point to specific stationary stores (which I think is fascinating)- isn’t it also worth considering the idea that people often buy things at yard sales, antique shops etc.?
You’re welcome. 
I think it’s apparent Zodiac used a mish-mash of things when it came to his ciphers. Not that he used that symbol on the Dick Tracy wheel–but it’s sure a close example.
"I can’t help but see Z as someone surrounded by books, records, comics, pencils, paper, rulers, etc…"
I agree.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Fisherman’s Friend,
With regards to #9 about “salt beef”. Where I’m from we eat it every Sunday lol.
It’s cured beef. Certain part of the cow that’s brined/cured. We boil it in a pot and then add our vegetables like carrot, turnip, cabbage, potatoes in there as well.
The salt beef adds a fine taste to the feast we call jiggs dinner. Usually eaten here on Sundays.
Been a ritual for us for generations.
Don’t know if Z’s reference of salt beef is the same thing or no. But it’s my 2 cents worth lol !
Sandiland
EDIT: deep heat is also a thing here. It’s rubbed on sore and aching muscles. Think it may be in cream form only,
Although I could be wrong.
