Interesting idea. The libraries in San Fran are the best shot, maybe they have the papers on microfilm. Welcome to the site by the way, please take a minute to post an introduction in the ‘introduce yourself’ section.

Around here their called geneology centers or libraries with

Thanks, I just posted in the introduction section. I took a stab at the 340 cipher years ago using some custom written programs on some(at the time) heavy-duty xeon workstations. In the end I gave up, assuming that the 340 was simply just gibberish, or that it was garbage text that was properly enciphered carefully(mistake fixed on the little k or whatever it was). However, I was able to produce some interesting finds(similar results when checked against the 408), being that independent lines were able to generate complete words(none of that anagram crap or kindergarten language). The problem always was, while I could generate text, there was no pattern to the solution, but the cause was always the same. Transposing linearly the solution set as lines progressed. While this yielded interesting results, there was no confirmation as to it being non-random. So my final thoughts were that *IF* the 340 was a cipher of valid text, zodiac used a transposition key that no brute forcing would ever validate. Also as I recall I found far more useful info having the cipher flipped 180 degrees, or read like arabic(bottom right to top left)… which really led me to believe it was garbage since it would have to be physically shifted/manipulated, but after reading a few statistical findings recently, I feel better about it not being junk.

Recently after coming across this site, I started to look over the 340 again, clearing the slate but remembering what data I was getting before. From the basics I will assume that Zodiac was not a genius, and that the 340 is not a master cipher. Probably just a deranged dude with a couple of code books. He most likely wanted the thing solved, as he went through lengths to verify it was enciphered properly(fixed mistake and hesitation marks). He provided "clues" to the thing in correspondence. He had some weird fixation on the SF Chronicle(letters to Avery and the ciphers themselves). It was clear that he read/followed/liked that publication. It is entirely possible that there is transposition information somewhere in that publication used as a basis. A long shot I know, but if for whatever reason there is a 17 column wide crossword puzzle, or block of text related to him(some form of vanity) in that sort of grid. Etc etc, There could then be the means to have a consistent "shift" for the transposition.

Yes I figure the microfilm route is the best bet, unfortunately I am in Indiana. I was actually just out there in San Mateo a few months ago for makerfaire, I wish I would have thought about this then. Does anybody on this board live near there and want to make a field trip… for science?!

-Vert

I go to the library in Santa Rosa CA to get SF Chronicle articles. They have them on microfilm there. The next time I go which might be next week, I will look for what you want. I do crossword puzzles and generally they are 13 to 15 spaces wide but the Sunday crossword is larger. The deal with the crosswords is that they are purchased by a newspaper from various outlets that offer subscriptions for daily puzzles to put the papers. The Sunday crossword is usually from the New York Times. The individual newspapers do not make their own puzzles is my point.

If someone out there does look up the SF Chron on micro film could you post Robert Graysmiths cartoon from 7/4/69 8/1/69 9/27/69 10/11/69 I think it would be kewl

I’ve noted the request on my little list, Ace!

Not sure of the date, but the eye’s have it.

AH- HA …I knew Graysmith was Zodiac ……LOL ….Yes it would be interesting to know that date, after the halloween card ,maybe it ( the eyes ) was influenced by it ,before maybe the other way around.

Does anybody know how to acquire newspaper scans(or does anyone have them) from the month prior to and leading up to On November 8, 1969 from the San Francisco Chronicle? I had a silly idea of matching up the 340 cipher in places of crossword puzzles or other block text from prior days in hopes of finding a method of transposition for a homophonic cipher. As much as Zodiac seemed to fixate on that paper, its a long shot, but maybe there is something in there. Alternatively does anyone happen to live in the Bay area that would have access to any libraries there that would have the newspapers on record?

Thanks,
-Vert

Vert, I went to the library yesterday and got copies of the crossword puzzles from Nov. 1, 1969 through Nov. 7, 1969.

The Nov. 1 puzzle was called "Saturday Stinker" and was a little atypical clue-wise from the puzzles that ran on the other days. The grid is 15×15.
The Nov. 2 puzzle is the Sunday puzzle, larger than the puzzles that ran on the other days of the week. The grid is 21×21.
The puzzles for Nov. 3-7, Monday through Friday, were called Commuter Crossword and the grid is 12×12.

Do you want me to post any or all of the seven puzzles?

Does anybody know how to acquire newspaper scans(or does anyone have them) from the month prior to and leading up to On November 8, 1969 from the San Francisco Chronicle? I had a silly idea of matching up the 340 cipher in places of crossword puzzles or other block text from prior days in hopes of finding a method of transposition for a homophonic cipher. As much as Zodiac seemed to fixate on that paper, its a long shot, but maybe there is something in there. Alternatively does anyone happen to live in the Bay area that would have access to any libraries there that would have the newspapers on record?

Thanks,
-Vert

Vert, I went to the library yesterday and got copies of the crossword puzzles from Nov. 1, 1969 through Nov. 7, 1969.

The Nov. 1 puzzle was called "Saturday Stinker" and was a little atypical clue-wise from the puzzles that ran on the other days. The grid is 15×15.
The Nov. 2 puzzle is the Sunday puzzle, larger than the puzzles that ran on the other days of the week. The grid is 21×21.
The puzzles for Nov. 3-7, Monday through Friday, were called Commuter Crossword and the grid is 12×12.

Do you want me to post any or all of the seven puzzles?

Thanks! That is so nice of you to take your time to do that. If its not too much trouble since you went to get them you may as well post them. However, I dont believe they will lend any help to the cipher. Perhaps he really took his time on it and there is something worth wild in the October ones, did you happen to glance at any of those? The titles could be relevant, I donno. Were there any other type of puzzles or block text that stood out to you in the papers you did peruse?

-Vert

That Cartoon of GraySmiths’ made me it so funny.
Thank You Tahoe27
The Congree SALOON . So that’s where they’ve been.
Tell them it’s time to go back to work. Play time is over.
GraySmith is a very good cartoonish. He should put a book
together of all his cartoons. Their is a funny side of GraySmith.

Hi Seagull,

I know it’s been a few years since you originally posted about the newspaper crossword/puzzle pages on here. I’m very interested in seeing scans of those if you still have them. I’m interested not just in the crossword puzzles, but any puzzles from those pages such as word jumbles.

Thank you,

BroomandKettle

Do you mean a bit like this one from Aug 17 1969, Syndicated Press

Now where have I seen that shape before

Yes, that is very helpful – thank you! And if you have any full page ones that show any other puzzles on the page, those would be great too.

Thank you so much!

Broomandkettle