POSTAL INSPECTORS: THE SILENT SERVICE
An Exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
February 7, 2007 - February 28, 2009
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Home
The Silent Service
Postal Crime
Silent but Effective
Surveyor-Inspector
Robbing the Mail
Unexpected Duties
Bombs in the Mail
Exploding Cigar Box
The Unabomber
Suspicious Packages
You Solve the Case
Don't Be a Victim
In Memoriam
Protecting You Now
Resources
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



< back



THE UNABOMBER






  Image:

Ted Kaczynski's mailbox

 
Sketch on the Unabomber's Wanted Poster
Sketch on the Unabomber's Wanted Poster

click to enlarge

Unabomber in handcuffs led by task force member
Unabomber in handcuffs led by task force member

click to enlarge




Images:

(left) Sketch on the Unabomber's Wanted Poster
(right) Unabomber in handcuffs led by task force member

 

From 1978 to 1996, a man named Ted Kaczynski mounted a campaign of terror through a series of bombs sent in the mail to university professors and airline and advertising executives. The bomber used the mail to deliver nine of his 16 known devices. Postal inspectors and other law enforcement agencies created the Unabom Task Force (a combination of the words “university” and “airline bomber”). The press created the name Unabomber from that original task force designation.

In 1995, while still on the loose, and through anonymous letters, the Unabomber demanded the publication of what became known as the “Unabomber Manifesto” in exchange for an end to the violence. The New York Times and Washington Post published the diatribe against technological advancement on September 19, 1995. David Kaczynski recognized his brother Ted’s writing style and notified authorities.

Unabomber's handcuffs
Image: Unabomber's handcuffs

Members of the Unabom Task Force placed these cuffs on Kaczynski when they captured him in a shack near Lincoln, Montana, on April 3, 1996. Members of the Task Force presented these cuffs to Postal Inspector Anthony Muljat in recognition of his many years of tireless work on the case.

 

Unabomber Practice Package
Unabomber practice package mock-up
Unabomber practice package mock-up

click to enlarge

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service created mock-ups of packages identical to those sent by the Unabomber. The mock-ups were shared with postmasters and postal employees in the hope that someone would recognize and stop another deadly package from reaching its destination.

On loan from the United States Postal Inspection Service

Image: Unabomber practice package mock-up

back






Acknowledgements

National Postal Museum | Copyright and Privacy | Contact