The $100,000 Puzzle That Took Two Years to Solve

UPDATE: My video about the Decipher II and Decipher III videos is up now! Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4nRdJmJaMqYbsU
Support my channel on Patreon and get lots of bonus puzzle content! Everyone at $3 and above gets all the same perks: patreon.com/karenpuzzles
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Do you know anything about the answers to the Decipher II or the Decipher III puzzles? If so, please get in touch using the email address at the end of the video.
Read my post about David Dobrik’s $100,000 puzzle:
pCJHDO1cBa9K/
Read the full paper about the Decipher puzzle by Alan Sherman and Robert Baldwin:
citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=84C1B018B776E7D106D25539DD1C30FC?doi=10.1.1.113.499&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Read the entire instructions booklet:
imgur.com/a/pEX6rEj
All of the articles I got information from:
newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=bcheights19830926.2.70&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------
bit.ly/3pYvO8y
apnews.com/article/bc770fdae518fcd711e477c6a19b8871
www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-24-me-57236-story.html
imgur.com/a/HaiwfWG
outlet.historicimages.com/products/rsb12939
I also got some info from The Jigsaw Puzzle by Anne D. Williams:
amzn.to/3rdRAXr (affiliate link)
Learn more about the Beale ciphers:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beale_ciphers
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Subscribe to my DIY channel:
kzbin.info
Twitter: karenpuzzles
Instagram: karenpuzzles
Facebook: karenpuzzles
www.karenkavett.com
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Music from Epidemic Sound:
www.epidemicsound.com
#jigsawpuzzles #puzzle #jigsaw

[@KarenPuzzles]

Hi everyone, thinking about it further, I’m not sure if I still agree with the original conclusion that this was a fair puzzle to everyone, computer programmers and normal citizens alike. Since the answer (well, the key text) ends up starting in the middle of a paragraph halfway through a long book, there really wouldn’t be any way that a person was just going to stumble across it unless they had a computer checking every possibility of the entire text. This was marketed as a way for any normal person to have a shot at winning $100,000, but with the way the key text was chosen, it was basically impossible to be found until Holland revealed the final clue that massively narrowed down the possibilities. As I said in the video, I understand why it was done like this, since Holland wanted to ensure he could sell enough of the product to be worth manufacturing it, before the puzzle was solved. But, since he added the stipulation that anyone who solved it before the deadline would split the prize, that actually isn’t as much of a concern. I don’t know, I think it definitely has a few more flaws that I necessarily pointed out in the video, and I don’t want you all to think I’m hypocritical for having issues with the way David Dobrik went about it but not pointing out the same flaws here (especially since they were being sold for the same price point after accounting for inflation). I still stand by what I said at the end of the video, that there must be some way to do this kind of puzzle contest that more fairly balances luck and skill. But, anytime you offer such a huge prize, there are always going to be issues that come along with it. So do you think that the puzzle was fair? What do you think of how Holland went about it compared to David’s version? I’d love to hear your thoughts 🧩

[@mom23js]

Nah.. I dont think this puzzle was fair. The answer was in a book not everyone had access to. Also, trying to figure it out without computers, made those with less means at an even more disadvantage. So those who needed the money.. Were less likely able to get the answer. If we could do something like that today, the cutoff date would have to be a week due to google giving all the answers in minutes.

[@Reggie_la]

Question! Do you ever feel bad or wrong for opening old puzzles that were never open? Or nah

[@prinzezze]

No I don't think it was that fair... Most people probably didn't have that book at home.

[@KaseyWynne]

@@Reggie_la Well, like she said, more than a million of them were sold, so it's not a really rare item. Looking on ebay, it's only 19 dollars, plus shipping, so I don't think there's a problem with opening one up.

[@getjiggywithsam3572]

Makes you wonder if the algorithm was even necessary since the MIT students missed the deadline. If I’m understanding correctly, the rest of the winners (some or most of them) used skill/time to solve it.

[@basvanderwerff2725]

you can see wich side you supposed ot start on with the double sided one cause the final number in the ccode had a . instead of a ,

[@KarenPuzzles]

lol I should have noticed that. Everyone go click like on this comment so more people see it 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@countduckula9977]

@bas van der werff Eagle Eyes Award goes to you. Bravo!

[@pvic6959]

it's part of the challenge :^)

[@tri_sha]

@@KarenPuzzles you can pin this comment

[@SharpCookie]

Brilliant! Great logic!

[@this_fanny]

The fact that the MIT students solved it, but send it 1 day later, sounds like engineer students to me lol

[@SharpCookie]

😂😂

[@ca-ke9493]

I can imagine them at 3am, thinking they still had like 8 hours to go, and then someone rereads the instructions and goes oh shit and the whole gang runs to the post office to see if they can get it in in time.

[@realtaiter3991]

Yea they sat around overthinking prob for 3 days.

[@sofaki303]

Howard wolowitz

[@robertraish4279]

I love seeing how your channel is evolving. This is such an interesting turn. As a former math professor who studied a bit of cryptography as an undergrad this was absolutely enthralling. Great story telling which I would never expect from a niche youtube channel on puzzles.

[@KarenPuzzles]

Thank you! I'd love if you could ask around to other cryptography friends you have to see if anyone knows the answers to the Decipher II and III ciphers!

[@pvic6959]

Honestly! for someone who says this sort of stuff isn't for her, she did a wonderful job telling the story. I know a bit about crypto but she made it sooo accessible to people with no knowledge about it! Meanwhile, Ive taken a crypto class and watched videos about the zodiac ciphers, the cicada 3301 puzzles, etc LOL. this stuff fascinates me so much

[@hopegold883]

Yeah! That’s true! I watch a lot of science channels. And Karen’s way of describing this (and the addition of the little breaks!! Genius!) was a lot more clear than a lot of those science communicators. Nothing against them, but it hit me how clear and fun her explanations were, despite how tricky the subject matter was.

[@pvic6959]

@@hopegold883 exactly! it was a very different approach that i really liked. i watch a TON of the educational channels and they assume some knowledge. I loved how karen didn't do that because her audience may not have that background info. I also really liked the idea of the breaks - it was something i never thought about! But i can absolutely see people getting overwhelmed. shes very thoughtful

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

She’s so wholesome, she’s what KZbin needs right now not to be cheesy 😂

[@loqueestamal3465]

When you gave the list of authors, I immediately thought "Impossible, did any of these have books in the public domain in 1984? Many were still alive." The conclusion (which I didn't think of) is that it must be one of them QUOTING from a text in the public domain, as was actually the case (Wilkins 1638), but I wonder if anyone thought of that back then. It would have narrowed down the search immensely. The MIT guys didn't, even after the solution was published. In a footnote to their paper they say (p. 17): "An anonymous referee pointed out that Cosmos is copyrighted and hence not in the public domain. In clue 1 did Holland use the phrase 'in the public domain' for its colloquial meaning of 'publicly available'?"

[@ghyslainabel]

You said it is "above your pay grade." I work in computer science and I disagree. I would say it is "outside of your pay grade." We have different sets of skills and, more importantly, different interests. Your artistic abilities are as valid and as important as my science ones. Be proud of your achievements. :)

[@misomie]

Oh I love this

[@SuzanaNature]

To be honest I think karen have the skills necessary fo computer sciences. Her displays of logic in puzzle solving are building blocs for computing, and the creativity from arts are very usefull in solving plblems and comming up with algorithms. I mean, equations may look scary but when you break them down in the actual reason for each term it can be quite intuitive or at least make sense. And I have dregres in both arts and science and work with neural networks so I know a thing or two about that.

[@themadhattress5008]

Not gonna lie, this was kind of a dickish thing to say.

[@ghyslainabel]

@@themadhattress5008 what was a darkish thing to say? Her comment about herself or my response?

[@NatyRocke]

Awww I love this! 💗 We all have value even if we have different skill sets 💕

[@mdzhappy1]

I owned the original version. I completed the puzzle section a few times, but the Cipher was ridiculously hard for me. Remember it was the 80's, and even looking up something simple involved a card catalog and an encyclopedia

[@lokicooper4690]

This is partly why I think it was not a fair puzzle. Most people would not have figured it out without that last clue.

[@Brainreaver79]

@@lokicooper4690with such a cashprice in the 80's!!! thats wait let me look it up...thats close to 400k today. so its not supposed to be easy or fair. it was supposed to be HARD

[@MasterInHD]

@@Brainreaver79 It's actually closer to $250k than $400k, it's literally on the video. Did you even watch it before commenting?

[@Brainreaver79]

@@MasterInHDyes i did, and then i checked the calculation.. its 2 years later... do you think nothing changed? especially with covid happening?

[@MasterInHD]

@@Brainreaver79 inflation doesn’t go up 60% in 2 years, buddy. You’re talking to Finance graduate. It would be closer to $300k if anything and even that is a stretch.

[@Cristo2893]

Only Karen would have a Jigsaw Puzzle Bible.... and we love her for that. :D

[@KarenPuzzles]

It's a great book!

[@Cristo2893]

@@KarenPuzzles I bet so, best for Jigsaw Puzzle lovers. Huge hug from Ecuador, Karen. Love your videos.

[@KimSimful]

@@KarenPuzzles I wish someone would reprint it! It's hard to find and expensive! With puzzles so popular I wish it was on Kindle!

[@phillsjigsawpuzzles]

I'm just finding out that there is so much more than just doing jigsaws, I also like searching for their history and a "jigsaw Puzzle Bible" would be great help... I'll be looking out for it in the future.

[@analuisa1214]

A little tip: if you don't want the dust, gently shake the bag for about 20 seconds with one tip down (it can't be 🟥, it has to be 🔶 to work), and most of the dust will accumulate in the bottom. Then, carefully cut a small piece of that tip (be aware it will make a mess beyond this point, so do it over a trashcan or a bag), it has to be small enough so no pieces will fall but big enough so the dust can pass it easily and ta-dam! Brush that tip with your fingers and almost all the dust will be gone and then the puzzle will be cleaner not only for this time, but all the times you put it together. It really helps when your desk is white, and it is also good because your fingers won't be dirty (I personally hate the feeling of the dust in my fingers because I have sensory issues). The last step is: enjoy the puzzle!!!

[@katvaughn6201]

😮 Thank you for this!

[@sequinjin8332]

i was thinking she should use a sifter lmfao😭 or a strainer

[@whatdoyousuppose]

It’s interesting that when you said the “3,19” & CS & a novel starring with C clue, my first thought went to CS Lewis and Chronicles of Narnia lol

[@Chris-ig9gz]

I had the same thought watching as I paused to read the directions and see what I could figure out before hearing the rest of the story. I had guess #2 was the alphabet and the last clue beginning with C so CS was the initials of the author or novel. I would have check all books and authors with C as the first word and S as the second word. Then when the author clue came it it would have focused things down. The "cube...if you are geometrical inclined" threw me though as I thought it was a play on words. A cube sliced at an angle would be an incline so I thought is was something like the volume of a cube cut in half or a variation. Way off there. it would have been fun to do in real time though.

[@shanlu9942]

Me looking at the maths equations : RUNNNN

[@pvic6959]

no stay! She makes it soo accessible to people with no knowledge about cryptography and the like!

[@hobbybugs1286]

Dont worry Im a certified Mathematical genius in arithmatic Ill help with the equations

[@ronm3245]

I had to pause it to look them over. The s-hat one is a formula for a test statistic of some sort.

[@RachelAnn]

"What a great piece of puzzle history," is just such a Karen phrase.

[@danielleking262]

LOL I thought the same thing!!! 😂

[@realtaiter3991]

Thought that was an insult when I first read it lol

[@jacobscrivener2967]

@@lawlietlovebot I'm going to assume it still is an insult

[@SuperMatyoO]

I thought "a Karen phrase" was a pun 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@WolfLykaios]

So let's say that you don't find history on those two Decipher puzzles, you could make a video and let others figure out the answer. It could be like a community project to solve the cipher and you would be the primary source of information about them on the internet.

[@sandallsdrama952]

This.... a whole community project 😁

[@Josefina24_]

Cypher thread!! cypher thread!

[@DaiBoruta]

Count me in!

[@beez1717]

That would be so cool if we could all try and solve it!

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

Definitely! A recurring Sunday lunchtime event so that people abroad can join in without missing too much sleep. New clues and methods etc could be presented and we could send findings to a designated email address to supplement the live chat.

[@Gabes1321]

I’m so glad other people are finally recognising how cool puzzles can be

[@WanderLost]

This reminds me of a few years ago when the NSA wanted to hire a crypto-analyst or something, and so they sent out a tweet that was actually a cipher and it said something about applying for the job if you figured it out, and it worked. That's how they hired someone. Sounds pretty cool. Side note, at the NSA campus in Maryland, they have a very cool crypto museum (National Cryptologic Museum) all about ciphers and all of the ways codes have been used in the history of the US.

[@lovesmusic916]

Your comment reminded me of the imitation game. The story of how mi6 hired mathematicians to break the Nazi's code. And they put a crossword in the paper to recruit people and built a computer to solve it.

[@WanderLost]

@@lovesmusic916 That's awesome. The codebreaking machines that the british and americans were using during WWII are in that cryptologic museum. They have enigma machines that the nazi's used until the british learned how to break their codes. It's a very cool place.

[@jnfrhynes]

Lol was also the premise for the start of Stargate:Universe

[@xyzzyx7812]

Google when they were good did something similar

[@bkackman]

When I started this video and saw the it was over 42 minutes long, I thought I would watch a little bit at the beginning and skip to the end. But the explanation and description Karen provided for this puzzle was so compellingly interesting and entertaining, I was gripped right to the very end. What a great video. So much research was necessary. And despite claiming "above my pay grade" there was a tremendous understanding of every aspect of the history and the theory of cipher. Great job and thank you for this whole video. It was a well spent 43 minutes of my life!!!

[@ColorwaveCraftsCo]

I wasn't even born when these puzzles came out, but the idea of putting a cipher on a finished jigsaw puzzle is very intriguing. If I had been alive back then, I definitely would have tried it. 😅

[@saltyy5834]

I'm so glad I found your channel in 2020!! I got my first jigsaw puzzle last week because you inspired me! thank you Karen for your genuinely wonderful energy!

[@KarenPuzzles]

That's amazing! Have fun with it!

[@danielleking262]

@@KarenPuzzles I've tried mentioning this in other comments, but I haven't done a puzzle in over 10 years but seeing your video on the 3D Color Sphere made me want it so much I actually bought it and have it sitting on my shelf just like you!! Now I'm on my third puzzle since. 😁❤️

[@hopegold883]

What gets me is how much variety there is on this channel. Every week I’m so surprised it’s something completely new! I was perfectly happy with the earlier videos, just seeing all the different companies and beautiful patterns. But wow. Karen really goes out of her way. Idk if this is my fave channel, but it’s definitely the one I click on the fastest.

[@mdzhappy1]

@karenpuzzles Id love to see you do a deep dive on a puzzle book called Masquerade. Its by Kit Williams from 1980. Its a book that you had to solve the puzzle of where the jewel was hidden through the pictures and text. The winner was supposed to be flown to England to dig up the treasure. I have the book if you decide you want it

[@JudithARobinson]

Glad someone else remembers it! I just mentioned it in my comment, as I remember me and my friends gathering round the book in the school library, convinced we would be the ones to find the treasure! I still have my copy too😊

[@hicknopunk]

Oh that mess 🤣 great piece of history

[@Carolina-yi4sj]

This could absolutely be a Gravity falls episode with Mabel helping Dipper solve the puzzle and Dipper helping her solve the cipher!

[@ca-ke9493]

this was the first thing that this reminded me of! I still think about that Cipher hunt that Alex Hirsch put together for the fans at the end of the show, it was so epic following it online. I really want to go visit the Bill statue but I live halfway across the world.

[@EctoBabble]

The longer I watch the more I'm like "How could someone have EVER solved this in a year? And without a computer?!" This is insane XD ~CIPHER~

[@beckinevison-smith1025]

Can we just appreciate how Karen gave us regular brain breaks??

[@KarenPuzzles]

I was watching it back and getting overwhelmed, so I could only imagine how it would be if you were hearing it all for the first time!

[@At0micAllison]

Broke my brain...

[@VirginiaGreco_Scrapbooking]

Yes, it's so sweet! :D

[@fossilcore]

please make more videos about puzzles with similar stories, this one is amazing

[@KarenPuzzles]

I have two more vintage puzzles on deck with stories just like this one!

[@fossilcore]

@@KarenPuzzles can't wait to see them 😄

[@juliadandy6019]

@@KarenPuzzles that’s awesome! I think you did a great job walking through the details of the cipher and the logics, was really enjoyable!

[@mangosplashes]

"Oh have i ever!" (as she pulls out the Eternity puzzle) ... 😆😆😆 I laughed soooo hard!

[@danielleking262]

Sneaky moment!!!! lol

[@cenen87]

Very interesting Karen, I didn't even realize that I have been sitting and watching this video for over 40 minutes now.

[@katw6757]

I didn't even realize the video was 40 minutes until I saw this comment 😅

[@pattyowens5756]

I just recently discovered her channel, and never would have thought it could be so entertaining to watch someone put jigsaw puzzles together and talk about them!

[@maryzoss608]

Cipher

[@YoumatterDragonfly]

I didn't realize it was that long until just reading your comment and then checking lol.

[@catherineliu06]

This video content was so engaging that I didn't even realize the video was 42 minutes until I was almost done

[@LiefsMayo]

This is such a cool video! And I really respect the fact that you spent so much time looking up all this, trying to understand everything about the "cipher" yourself, and then finding a way to explain this as clearly as possible to all of your viewers. And you did a very good job at that! So thank you, I enjoyed this video enormously!

[@danielleking262]

I agree !!!!!

[@taylorbarnhart9882]

your channel and antscanada are truly getting me through quarantine. i love seeing people who are passionate about what they do, even if it’s not *my* thing.

[@shanlu9942]

I don't think that I need to go to school tommorrow. My head hurts

[@dashiellea]

Here Iam nodding like I understand half of what Karen is saying about solving the decipher.

[@Reggie_la]

Dear Karen: when you realse your own cipher puzzle, pleeease make sure it ships internationaly, because I would like to try and solve it

[@LouiseLillith]

Cipher! I still have that Eternity puzzle collecting dust on top of a cupboard. I bought it back in the 90s and never figured it out. I am so much looking forward to seeing you tackle it, Karen.

[@danielleking262]

You did the puzzle but never tried to decipher it, or do you mean you never even tried to do the puzzle? lol

[@sanjafiliposka]

I love when she runs her hand over finished puzzle piece.. ❤️

[@Mallowbie]

I absolutely love this kind of content. Completely engrossed; didn't even notice it was 40 minutes long. Also, cipher

[@vwpowerxx]

I could listen to Karen talking about puzzle history for hours 😆

[@dees3179]

Karen, this was absolutely excellent. You explained and gave your thoughts so clearly even though the mechanics are beyond most of us. Well done. I hope you are able to keep going with this channel, your ideas go from strength to strength. Cypher.

[@maritdegoede9119]

this was SO interesting!!! i loved this a lot, you are a great storyteller and puzzle history fascinates me! would love to see a video about the other two puzzles if you end up finding the solutions!

[@TheLuisaCMendes]

That was probably something all of the puzzlers thought they were going to figure out in a few hours and then you had to be not only good but a genius on the cipher thing. Thank you for such a detailed video. Hope you find information on the last 2 😊

[@PrinceAmazing]

Omg, I've had the smaller version of this puzzle worked for as long as I can remember( still in my closet with the red bag) and never knew what became of it; this is the most personally interesting video you could have made. Thank you!!!

[@vanesaradayoung7099]

As a former library clerk I highly suggest researching local newspapers and articles around the company's home town. I also suggest emailing the company itself which probably would be more helpful for your research. I checked their website and its not working at all so maybe there's an email or phone number you can call to ask around.

[@breezygodiva503]

This was suuuuuch a good video Karen. I loved every second of it. You explaining what it was, then doing it, explaining how to figure it out, who won ect. Loved it all.

[@madmarbles]

What an incredibly complicated marketing scheme. I do love the use of cyphers, though. Makes you feel like a detective.

[@BaruMonkey]

Thank your for adding the breaks to take a breather.

[@Zoutsteen]

thank you for another entertaining video. There definitely is no such thing as simply puzzling the pieces together when you point out how the cypher to it unlocks a whole story worth telling.

[@ad6449]

I love this kind of storytelling: puzzles about puzzles about ciphers. Thank you! I can't wait for to watch any updates on the second and third version, plus the Eternity puzzle. This is excellent fun. I was intrigued to read that a teen age girl was one of the winners. I'm deeply impressed and would love to know more about her too. Thanks, Karen. What a perfect video.

[@Novaximus]

I love the idea of a "Puzzle Pouch". Though I feel like it should be a nice leather material rather than velvet because cardboard doesn't friction well with cloth. But how cool would it be to just like store puzzles in their own stylized pouches.

[@WhiteOutify]

I love the amount of effort you put into these videos. It’s easy to deCIPHER how much you love puzzles! Thank you for sharing your passion with us and for such an informative video!

[@bywheel]

This was one of the most interesting videos ever. You did such a good job of researching and explaining the solution. Loved it.

[@melbaby925]

What a great cipher story! I hope you find those other puzzle solutions. I'm looking forward to those videos, too!

[@kathleenaglaganian9283]

I have to say it was good to see something new. It must be hard to always put things up on KZbin but since I love watching your vids I am just to anxious. Thanks for this. Kathleen

[@kellyevans2260]

i love how you took the time to do all the research and explain it to everyone!

[@lisamagnussonbiel5695]

This was my favorite video of yours ever! As a math and puzzle enthusiast, this was so exiting!!

[@srshama]

CIPHER! Me not even realizing I've been watching this video for over 40 minutes and enjoyed every minute of it. Awesome video and breakdown!

[@PeterMarinari]

I'm an ongoing fan of your channel, but this video in particular is AMAZING! The mystery! The custom cipher graphics! The research! You've crossed over from putting puzzles together with some interesting facts along the way to producing full-on, full-length puzzle history shows (and I love it).

[@charlenec.3057]

Wow that was so much fun listening to you telling the story of this puzzle. Thank you and your sister for all the research and time you both spend for this.

[@BigioBio]

This video is an absolute gem of Puzzle history. The amount of work you went through to make this into a great documentary, is just mind-blowing. Thank you for this awesome content.

[@ceemar2621]

Cipher .... that was SO fun to watch!! Thank you Karen!!! 🧩

[@jennyvo1503]

Wow, I was so entertained and intrigued by the whole story and you made it so much more understandable that I can't imagine how much work all the research and editing was. A really great video!

[@francoruggiero6584]

This was an amazing video, Karen. So well planned out, produced,... and fun! Full of cliffhangers also! You outdid yourself in this one.

[@adambrownbird4347]

I did not wake up this morning expecting to be subscribing to a jigsaw puzzle solving channel today yet here we are

[@henryD9363]

Yep! The we includes me.

[@Panda1303YT]

I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed, I can’t stop watching your videos from the newest ones to ones that were posted like 1 to 2 years ago 💜

[@lindashankar8286]

I’ve only recently discovered your channel and I love it! This episode was so amazing. Thank you for telling this story in such an interesting manner. Like other commenters I too didn’t realize it was 40 minutes long. I was so absorbed in the story. I hope you learn about puzzles II And III so I can hear you tell those stories too. I also look forward to watching you put together and talk about other puzzles. I’m waiting for episode 2 of the 24,000 piece puzzle! Keep up the good work! Cipher.

[@HelmutCrisis]

This was great. The explanation of the Cipher was easy to follow and understand. What an interesting story to learn.

[@jensL.]

Awesome explanation of the CIPHER and all the historic details. Thanks for putting so much effort into your videos.

[@superly1090]

You did an incredible research work here, making a very entertaining and special video. Thank you Karen! Can't wait to know about the updates on part II and III.

[@rc31802]

Wow! I'm always amazed at the research you put into your videos. This was excellently done

[@josefinamrn]

this was such an interesting video, didn't notice it was 40 minutes long while i was doing the 1000 gradient puzzle from cloudberries, your recomendation!! really cool video!

[@susanrobeno6739]

Wow. You certainly put in a lot of research in creating this video about the ultimate cipher. Kudos to you.

[@whitney32592]

I've never felt like more of a nerd but this is the most fascinating thing I have ever watched.

[@shelleywolff6347]

Cipher puzzle was very interesting history given lots of work went into getting this video done I loved every minute of it thank you

[@Faffrika]

What a great video, Karen! I loved the way you talked us through the cipher, you explained it so well and the visuals were so helpful. Can't wait to see your future videos about these wild 80s puzzles :)

[@korikisser646]

Thank you for this information! It has sparked my interest about ciphers and puzzles. I am new to puzzling, and you make me happy and excited to do puzzles! Well, I need to go now. Keep puzzling!

[@dougleong2099]

Very interesting and engaging puzzle history video. I didn't even know about this puzzle. I have to watch the video again to understand the Cipher.

[@rosygirl52]

This was fascinating! I love that you've diversified into videos like this - you explained it all really well and it's nice to learn something along with looking at cool puzzles. I can't wait to hear about the million dollar puzzle, and I really hope you can find out more about the other two decipher puzzles, I am very intrigued!

[@BrendanPNW]

They way you described how the puzzle would be solved reminded me of when LOST was on tv. Blogs, radio shows, podcast, reddit thread where so many people with screen grabs, theories, clues, etc.

[@rebeccag.s3682]

This was a great video Karen! You are such a good story teller and provide clear information in a logical sequence. It kept me on my toes the whole time! And I understood all the complex information! I can't wait for puzzle 2 and 3!

[@midnightheartwolf9200]

Cipher, this was an amazing video I don't know why but working on puzzles always calmed me down no matter what, love your videos!

[@loveland852]

I definitely would not have thought I would enjoy a video about the history of an obscure cipher puzzle. Yet, here I am.

[@zorac91]

I absolutely adore this type of stuff. It's so fascinating and you are amazing Karen. Cypher's are great!

[@Sarahle3]

Regarding the later cipher puzzles and the lack of information, I am thinking that the key (ha ha) is to (1) contact the companies that made or marketed the puzzles (2) contact Holland or his heirs. (I'm assuming that if Holland were still alive you would have thought of reaching out to him.) (3) contact the insurance company that insured the first puzzle, since they may have ensured the next ones. (4) Contact one of the MIT students. They probably remember what happened with the next ones. (5) contact the other people named as winners of the first puzzle. I'm a journalist and a good finder (yes, I'm a Hufflepuff). Contact me privately if you want some help!

[@DriedMoss]

This was so much fun to watch! And thanks for the periodic breaks to breath in between explaining all that.

[@BuxleyHall]

Fun video! I very much remember buying and putting together this puzzle back in the day-the one-sided version of the puzzle, not the double-sided version. I never solved the CIPHER of course but thank you, Karen, for revealing the mystery of how it *was* solved. 👍

[@oxymom2002]

Wow! What a story. Thanks so much for walking us through the cypher. 💜

[@purplecristal1124]

I love this video Karen is I'm definitely going to try to look up some info on the other two "cypher" puzzles because of how interesting those will be.

[@Elise-8]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 you kept us listening for 45 minutes!! That must have been so hard to keep interesting and easy to understand! Amazing job Karen. I have the feeling that you will go viral for this video hahahah you deserve it 👏🏼

[@renepena3024]

People are so creative! Who knew there were even cypher puzzles out there? Karen Puzzles did! 😄

[@jennifertrace3836]

Excellent explanation of how the cipher was created and decoded! I always look forward to your videos. 😊

[@cindyderosier]

Great video! I was a kid in the 80's and did a ton of jigsaw puzzles, but never heard of this one. It's probably a good thing, as I would have never solved the cipher and it would have driven me crazy.

[@melaniehoyt5068]

Definitely enjoyed this video and the interesting history and story behind a unique puzzle. Would love more history/unique puzzle videos like this.

[@alisonlove2784]

I love these jigsaw videos. I'm enjoying doing jigsaws since we are in lockdown in Scotland good for the brain and sanity levels ❤️.

[@Drtydan___]

ive been lowkey in love with alll your puzzle videos

[@djmccathran]

“But, they’re not.” Lol! I just recently found your channel and I love it!

[@WishAtElevenEleven]

I really enjoyed this cypher video. So much fun to watch! I would love to see you try the million dollar puzzle!

[@vegancomicnerd86]

This was such a fascinating video to watch. I found your channel because John Green mentioned it in a vlogbrothers video and I'm so glad he did. Puzzle fun plus really captivating story-telling!

[@dannyboy4286]

I really enjoyed watching this. The story was enthralling. Thank you!!

[@katewooden9937]

This was so totally amazing thank you for all the in-depth history love your channel cipher

[@serenamcdiarmid4802]

Wow, an amazing amount of work went into this video! I really enjoyed learning about the CIPHER. Thanks Karen. ☺️

[@charlottewood2102]

Excellent cipher video, going to have a look online for all of these other puzzles :-)

[@tropixyzrp2k173]

I also love the fact that you are into both the hardware/physical and software/untouchable data puzzles