cryptex

English

Etymology

Blend of cryptology +‎ codex, coined in The Da Vinci Code (2003); see quotations.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɹɪptɛks/
• Rhymes: -ɛks

Noun

cryptex (plural cryptices or cryptexes)

1. A puzzle box solved with a passcode.
   • [2003, Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code, New York: Doubleday, →ISBN, page 199:

     Sophie was not surprised. Most of Leonardo’s unbuilt inventions had never been studied or even named. The term cryptex possibly had been her grandfather’s creation, an apt title for this device that used the science of cryptology to protect information written on the contained scroll or codex.]

   • 2015 December 28, Nino Kilgore-Marchetti, “Are Scotch Single Malt Tomes A New Trend? Perhaps”, in The Whiskey Wash‎^[1], archived from the original on May 30, 2022:

     With an embossed cover, vellum pages and brooding, mysterious artwork, this tome has a rich, premium feel. Careful readers can use the enclosed UV light and cryptex to reveal secrets that remain hidden from view.

   • 2018 November 8, Sheldon Pearce, “Earl Sweatshirt “Nowhere2go” Track Review”, in Pitchfork‎^[2], archived from the original on October 27, 2022:

     Earl Sweatshirt packs so much into his verses that listening to one can feel like trying to crack a cipher. “Nowhere2go,” a track from his upcoming album, is one such emotional cryptex; it’s powerfully blunt about being plagued by depression and seeing death everywhere, but decidedly oblique about what comes after.

   • 2018 December 17, Sarah Berger, “This 32-year-old quit his job and turned an elaborate Reddit Secret Santa scavenger hunt into a full-time business”, in CNBC‎^[3], archived from the original on May 4, 2022:

     Waters provided a journal containing riddles, clues, a compass and cryptex, and the birthday girl and her best friend set out on a hunt to find a treasure, leading them to different places like the library, her church and a park.

   • 2019 March 4, Rob Beschizza, “Wooden fractal curve puzzles”, in Boing Boing‎^[4], archived from the original on February 23, 2021:

     For immediate gratification, you can also hit up his Etsy Store; the Cryptex box (Note that it's for PLANS only, you'll need to cut and make it yourself) looks like a great gift for the smartest egg in your family.

   • 2019 April 22, “Play your way through Reiman Gardens with larger-than-life toys and games”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎^[5], archived from the original on July 30, 2021:

     Morphing Morphology: This cryptex (a vault used to hide secret messages) allows visitors to turn five wheels to line up the various parts of eight different trees found in North America.

   • 2019 September 4, Sydney Bucksbaum, “The Challenge: War of the Worlds 2 recap: Battle lines are drawn, alliances are exposed”, in Entertainment Weekly‎^[6], archived from the original on January 22, 2022:
   • 2021 February 26, Keegan McGuire, “The Parks & Recreation Fan Theory That Pegs Andy As A Secret Genius”, in Looper‎^[7], archived from the original on August 17, 2022:

     Andy exhibits a better understanding of stocks than Ben (Adam Scott), who's an accountant; at other times, he mentions deeply pondering the meaning of existence. Beyond that, on multiple instances Andy shows familiarity with complex concepts like religious oligarchies and a puzzle like a cryptex.

   • 2022 April 16, Dan Maloney, “Tiny Pneumatic Tool Made From A Single(-ish) Bolt”, in Hackaday‎^[8], archived from the original on May 27, 2022:

     Hats off to [AMbros] for sticking with what was admittedly a problematic build, and here’s hoping a lathe is in his future. With that, he may be able to pull off other impressive “single-bolt” builds, like this combination padlock. Or throw another bolt or two in and pull off this cryptex-like safe.

   • 2022 September 11, Donald Papp, “Engraving A Puzzle Box? Here’s A Collection Of Single-Line Cryptex Fonts”, in Hackaday‎^[9], archived from the original on September 24, 2022:

     Here’s a neat resource from [MSRaynsford] that is worth bookmarking for anyone who gets creative with laser engravers, CNC routers, or drawing robots: SVGFonts are single-line symbol fonts that [MSRaynsford] created for his laser-cut and engraved cryptex puzzle boxes. They provide an easy way to engrave text as symbols.

   • 2022 November 23, Neha Tandon, Emily Shiffer, “39 Best Sentimental Gifts 2022: Unique, Memorable Ideas”, in Women's Health Magazine‎^[10], archived from the original on December 7, 2022:

     Sentimental doesn't equate to boring, and this fun cryptex puzzle with hidden compartments is proof of that.

   • 2022, Adelaide Ross, “The ‘Woodworking’ Online Group Is All About Appreciating DIY Projects, And Here Are Their Best Works (50 New Pics)”, in Bored Panda‎^[11], archived from the original on October 27, 2022:

     #50 I Made A Cryptex Portable Vault