Reverse-Engineered Material
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Reverse-Engineered Material

◆ · By Cory Calhoun

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

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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!
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        1A
        Remote hiding spot?
        1
        2
        3
        4
        5
        6
        7
        8
        9
        10
        11
        12
        13
        14
        15
        16
        17
        18
        19
        20
        21
        22
        23
        24
        25
        26
        27
        28
        29
        30
        31
        32
        33
        34
        35
        36
        37
        38
        39
        40
        41
        42
        43
        44
        45
        46
        47
        48
        49
        50
        51
        52
        53
        54
        55
        56
        57
        58
        59
        60
        61
        62
        63
        64
        65
        66
        67
        68
        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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