Amateur Codebreakers Solve CIA’s 35-Year-Old Kryptos Puzzle

A secret code embedded in the Kryptos sculpture outside the CIA headquarters in Virginia has been cracked after remaining unsolved for over 35 years. This breakthrough was achieved by amateur codebreakers and friends, Jarret Kobek and Richard Byrne. The final section of the code had eluded cryptologists for decades, even as the first three codes were deciphered as early as 1999.

The partners unlocked the mystery after examining a file that belonged to the sculpture’s creator, Jim Sanborn. Reports indicate that Mr. Kobek, an author and journalist based in California, enlisted Mr. Byrne to retrieve the file from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art in Washington, D.C. Once Mr. Byrne took photographs of the documents, they discovered crucial clues embedded within.

Among the notes were two scraps of paper that contained the phrases “BERLIN CLOCK” and “EAST NORTHEAST.” These hints were originally mentioned by Mr. Sanborn in articles for The New York Times in 2010 and 2014. The accidental inclusion of these notes in the file occurred while Mr. Sanborn was undergoing treatment for cancer, as he prepared to auction the final code and related artifacts next month. The auction was anticipated to generate approximately £372,000, which Mr. Sanborn intended to use for his medical expenses and to support programs for individuals with disabilities.

After successfully cracking the code, Mr. Kobek and Mr. Byrne contacted Mr. Sanborn via email early last month, just after the auction announcement. In response, Mr. Sanborn quickly requested that the Smithsonian close the files for 50 years to protect the newly revealed information.

The resolution of the Kryptos code has stirred significant interest, given the years of speculation surrounding its meaning. The CIA installed the sculpture in its courtyard in 1990, and until now, the final code had remained a notable challenge, baffling professional cryptologists and enthusiasts alike.

In light of their findings, Mr. Kobek and Mr. Byrne have agreed to keep the details of the final code confidential, particularly to avoid potential legal issues with auctioneers, who were poised to sue for a breach of copyright. The duo’s dedication to solving this complex puzzle highlights the intriguing intersection of art, cryptography, and amateur sleuthing, showcasing how persistence and collaboration can lead to unexpected triumphs.