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Reverse-Engineered Material

◆ · By Cory Calhoun · Published 2024-11-28T03:32:05.869Z

Meta Prompt
Hint: Find a one-named rock band.
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Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Meg solved 2024-12-03T02:18:58.556Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2024-12-03T03:54:39.329Z
  • rjy solved 2024-12-03T16:55:16.407Z

Comments

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  • Cory Calhoun constructor · 2024-11-28T03:33:09.046Z
    The meta answer is NICKELBACK (hint: find a one-named musical group). Oh yes, Nickelback!
    The puzzle's title, "Reverse-Engineered Material," hints at making (or engineering) something by going backwards (or "reverse"). If you read the 5 longest Across answers backwards, you'll find 5 numbers spelled out within them:
    17A: XENOMORPH > HPROM(ONE)X
    21A. KOWTOWED > DEWO(TWO)K
    38A. TAXISERVICE > ECIVRE(SIX)AT
    55A. BROKENIN > (NINE)KORB
    61A. CABINETRY > YR(TEN)IBAC
    Add those numbers--1, 2, 6, 9 and 10--to form (or "engineer") the number 28. 28 is the atomic number for the element nickel, which is a metallic material. And that "nickel" is formed (engineered) by going back through those Across answers, pointing to NICKELBACK, a one-named rock band that satisfies the puzzles hint.
    • benchen71 9:25 · 2024-11-30T02:13:07.437Z
      I found the numbers, but really didn't know what to do with them! Tricky one.
      • Cory Calhoun constructor · 2024-11-30T03:50:42.770Z
        Admittedly this one wasn't as rigid mechanics-wise than others I've done. My thought was, "If you can think of what 28 might mean, and the pair that with the backwards part, that might lead you there." Thanks for giving it a go!
    • Meg 2s · 2024-12-03T03:46:06.210Z
      Got some help from Ben. In the .puz file the clue for 52d has "across" instead of "actress".
      • Cory Calhoun constructor · 2024-12-03T18:45:58.522Z
        Fixed, thanks!
      • rjy 26:56 · 2024-12-03T16:58:34.642Z
        Needed a nudge after finding the numbers, but clever construction, Cory, thanks for the puzzle!
        • Cory Calhoun constructor · 2024-12-03T18:46:25.414Z
          This one's a bit less obvious of a mechanic, to be sure. Glad you enjoyed it!
        • DrTom 4s · 2025-01-09T19:26:28.189Z
          Well I got the right idea but the wrong numbers. I added up the ones I did NOT have, figuring you avoided them for a reason. Those missing reverse engineered numbers give 27, so the rock group TwentySeven...but that is two words. OK then, the sum of the added numbers I do NOT have subtracted from the ones I do have , = 1. AHA! Three Dog Night...but that is three names. Well what about the numbers themselves: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 the squares with those spell: FAACS - nope, the others 1,2,6,9,10 or SOBIS...Well there are a couple of SOBIS but no rock group, and if I reverse it SIBOS...well there is a rock group SIBUS, relatively small but seems popular, however there is no way that is UMERTA so. Finally I went with the most logical thing I could ABBA.
          Interesting mechanism, but I doubt I would have found it even if I had added up the right numbers because there was noting to suggest I needed a Table number. Had there been a hint to that I'd like to think I would have seen it and gotten the right answer. Ah well, it was fun and had some great clues.
          Play today's daily mini crossword
          1A
          Remote hiding spot?
          1
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          Across
          1. 1A
            Remote hiding spot?
          2. 5A
            Fundamentals
          3. 9A
            Long Island town
          4. 14A
            Cast
          5. 15A
            Chip dip, briefly
          6. 16A
            "Cowboy Bebop," for one
          7. 17A
            The alien species in the Alien movies
          8. 19A
            Survivalist's portable kit
          9. 20A
            Force with a lever
          10. 21A
            Sucked up
          11. 23A
            They only follow ties: Abbr.
          12. 24A
            Some household appliances
          13. 26A
            Stephen of The Crying Game
          14. 28A
            Where 38-Down may be found growing
          15. 30A
            Subway line in a Duke Ellington song
          16. 33A
            "Well, aren't you just so special?"
          17. 37A
            Threadbare
          18. 38A
            Airport-based business, often
          19. 40A
            Vehicle associated with 22-Down
          20. 42A
            Period of self care, perhaps
          21. 43A
            Hound
          22. 45A
            Where on-the-rocks orders are on the rails?
          23. 49A
            Nasdaq debut: Abbr.
          24. 50A
            Less messy
          25. 54A
            Tribute, of sorts
          26. 55A
            Like well-worn shoes
          27. 58A
            Like ___ (probably)
          28. 60A
            Téa of Madam Secretary
          29. 61A
            It holds kitchenware
          30. 63A
            Dabs up, or makes, a stain
          31. 64A
            Erelong
          32. 65A
            Kind of school
          33. 66A
            Four palindromic Holy Roman emperors
          34. 67A
            Call at the DMV, say
          35. 68A
            Zap with a deterrent
          Down
          1. 1D
            A real smoke show
          2. 2D
            Mafia code of silence
          3. 3D
            Matte, e.g.
          4. 4D
            The gamut
          5. 5D
            Way back when
          6. 6D
            Muslim woman's veiled garment
          7. 7D
            Roaster rooster
          8. 8D
            Uh... what's that sound?
          9. 9D
            "Othello" villian
          10. 10D
            White coat
          11. 11D
            Unshackle
          12. 12D
            Cry of success
          13. 13D
            Identify
          14. 18D
            Cleavers
          15. 22D
            Airport screening org.
          16. 25D
            Synthesizer setup that sounds like a skirt
          17. 27D
            Whatever
          18. 29D
            Glazer of "Broad City'
          19. 31D
            Multi-hulled sailboat
          20. 32D
            Sprint competitor?
          21. 34D
            Dogma
          22. 35D
            It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia character
          23. 36D
            Subject of a framing?
          24. 38D
            Starchy Polynesian veggie
          25. 39D
            Groove
          26. 40D
            Fourth-to-last Greek letter
          27. 41D
            Safety device on a 40-Across
          28. 44D
            Jeanne d'Arc, e.g.: Abbr.
          29. 46D
            Classic video game whose name means "Opposed to"
          30. 47D
            Flips over
          31. 48D
            Enter again
          32. 51D
            Machu Picchu native
          33. 52D
            "Man of Steel" actress Lane
          34. 53D
            Message receptacle
          35. 56D
            Suspicious of
          36. 57D
            X, in certain contexts
          37. 59D
            Back-to-school mo.
          38. 60D
            Certain corp. takeover
          39. 62D
            Bad result for a QB
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