History of Ted Kaczynski in Timeline
Theodore John Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, was a brilliant mathematician who abandoned academia in 1969 for a primitive life. He became a domestic terrorist, engaging in a bombing campaign from 1978 to 1995 motivated by his anti-technology ideology.
April 11, 1939: Marriage of Theodore Richard Kaczynski and Wanda Theresa Dombek
Theodore Kaczynski's parents, Theodore Richard Kaczynski and Wanda Theresa Dombek, were married on April 11, 1939.
May 22, 1942: Birth of Theodore Kaczynski
Theodore John Kaczynski, better known as the Unabomber, was born on May 22, 1942 in Chicago.
1952: Kaczynski Family Moves to Evergreen Park
The Kaczynski family relocated to Evergreen Park, Illinois in 1952, a significant move for the young Theodore.
1958: Kaczynski Enters Harvard at 16
At the remarkably young age of 16, Kaczynski entered Harvard University in 1958 on a scholarship, showcasing his exceptional academic abilities.
1962: Kaczynski Begins Studies at University of Michigan
Kaczynski enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1962 to continue his studies in mathematics, marking the beginning of a period of intense academic focus.
1962: Kaczynski Graduates from Harvard
Kaczynski graduated from Harvard University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics, having excelled in his studies despite some social challenges.
1962: Harvard Graduation Year
This entry references Kaczynski's graduation from Harvard in 1962.
1964: Kaczynski Earns Master's Degree
Kaczynski obtained his master's degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1964, demonstrating rapid progress in his academic pursuits.
1966: Kaczynski's Turning Point
Kaczynski experienced a significant personal crisis in 1966, later describing it as a "major turning point" that fueled his anger and hatred.
1967: Kaczynski Moves to San Francisco Bay Area
In 1967, Ted Kaczynski moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, coinciding with the period when the Zodiac Killer was active in the same region.
1967: Kaczynski's Dissertation Receives Recognition
In 1967, Ted Kaczynski's dissertation, "Boundary Functions," earned him the Sumner B. Myers Prize, recognizing it as the best mathematics dissertation at the University of Michigan.
1967: Kaczynski Begins Teaching at UC Berkeley
At the age of 25, Ted Kaczynski took on the role of acting assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley in late 1967. This made him the youngest assistant professor in the university's history.
1967: Kaczynski Completes Doctorate
In 1967, Kaczynski completed his doctoral degree in mathematics at the University of Michigan, solidifying his expertise in the field.
September 1968: Kaczynski Appointed Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley
In September 1968, Ted Kaczynski secured a formal appointment as assistant professor at UC Berkeley, a positive sign for his pursuit of tenure.
1968: Zodiac Killer Murders Begin
The Zodiac Killer's reign of terror began in Northern California, with murders occurring from 1968 to 1969, overlapping with the time Ted Kaczynski lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.
June 30, 1969: Kaczynski Resigns from UC Berkeley
On June 30, 1969, Ted Kaczynski unexpectedly resigned from his position at UC Berkeley without providing a clear explanation.
1969: Kaczynski Abandons Academia
In 1969, Kaczynski made the radical decision to abandon his promising academic career in mathematics.
1969: Zodiac Killer Murders Continue
The Zodiac Killer continued their murders in Northern California until 1969, the same year Kaczynski left the San Francisco Bay Area where he had been residing since 1967.
1970: Kaczynski's Resignation Deemed "Out of the Blue"
In a 1970 letter, the chairman of UC Berkeley's mathematics department described Ted Kaczynski's resignation as unexpected. He noted Kaczynski's shyness and difficulty connecting with colleagues.
1971: Kaczynski Moves to Montana Cabin
In 1971, Kaczynski moved to a remote cabin near Lincoln, Montana, seeking a primitive lifestyle.
1971: Kaczynski Relocates to Montana Cabin
In 1971, Ted Kaczynski chose to relocate to a remote cabin he constructed outside Lincoln, Montana. This move reflected his desire for a simpler life, relying on odd jobs and family support.
1971: Kaczynski Writes Essay
Ted Kaczynski wrote an essay in 1971, which would later be used by the FBI in 1996 to connect him to the Unabomber manifesto through linguistic analysis.
1975: Kaczynski Embarks on Sabotage and Engages with Philosophy
The year 1975 marked the beginning of Ted Kaczynski's acts of sabotage against nearby development projects. He delved into sociology and political philosophy, finding particular resonance with the works of Jacques Ellul.
May 1978: Kaczynski Returns to Chicago, Works Briefly with Family
Around May 1978, Ted Kaczynski returned to Chicago and briefly worked alongside his father and brother in a foam rubber factory.
May 25, 1978: Kaczynski Sends First Mail Bomb
On May 25, 1978, Ted Kaczynski's first mail bomb, targeting a Northwestern University professor, was discovered and detonated, causing minor injuries.
August 1978: Kaczynski Fired from Factory Job
In August 1978, Ted Kaczynski was let go from his factory job for writing inappropriate limericks about a female supervisor.
1978: Kaczynski Begins Bombing Campaign
Beginning in 1978, Ted Kaczynski began a series of bombings, targeting individuals and institutions he saw as connected to technological advancement.
1979: Kaczynski's Bombing Attempts Escalate
In 1979, Ted Kaczynski planted a bomb on an American Airlines flight, which malfunctioned but caused an emergency landing. He later expressed relief that it didn't detonate as intended. He also sent a bomb to the president of United Airlines, injuring him.
1979: FBI Investigation Begins
The FBI began their investigation into Kaczynski's bombings in 1979, marking the start of what would become their longest and most expensive investigation up to that point.
1981: Bombing Attempts at Universities Continue
In 1981, a bomb sent by Ted Kaczynski was discovered and defused at the University of Utah.
July 1982: Bombing at UC Berkeley Injures Professor
In July 1982, Kaczynski sent a bomb to the University of California, Berkeley, which exploded, injuring engineering professor Diogenes Angelakos.
1983: Road Construction Fuels Kaczynski's Anger
The construction of a road through an area Ted Kaczynski frequented in 1983 deeply upset him. This event solidified his decision to retaliate against the system, seeking revenge for what he perceived as its intrusion.
May 1985: Graduate Student Injured in UC Berkeley Bombing
In May 1985, Kaczynski sent another bomb to UC Berkeley. The bomb exploded, injuring John Hauser, a graduate student and US Air Force captain. The bomb caused severe injuries, costing Hauser four fingers and vision in one eye.
November 1985: Bombing at University of California, San Francisco
In November 1985, Kaczynski sent a mail bomb to the University of California, San Francisco. The bomb exploded, causing serious injuries to professor James V. McConnell and research assistant Nicklaus Suino.
1985: Computer Store Owner Killed in Bombing
In late 1985, Kaczynski planted a bomb in the parking lot of a computer store in Sacramento, California. The bomb exploded, killing 38-year-old store owner Hugh Scrutton.
1986: Robert Graysmith Publishes "Zodiac"
Robert Graysmith, author of the 1986 book "Zodiac" about the Zodiac Killer, acknowledged the intriguing similarities between the killer and Kaczynski but dismissed them as coincidental.
February 20, 1987: Bombing in Salt Lake City Injures Gary Wright
On February 20, 1987, Kaczynski planted a bomb disguised as lumber in the parking lot of a computer store in Salt Lake City, Utah. The bomb exploded, injuring Gary Wright. Wright sustained severe nerve damage to his left arm and was hit by shrapnel.
October 2, 1990: Kaczynski's Father Dies by Suicide
Ted Kaczynski's father, who had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, died by suicide on October 2, 1990.
1990: Census Record Describes Kaczynski's Simple Living Conditions
A 1990 census record offered a glimpse into Ted Kaczynski's sparse living conditions in his Montana cabin, describing basic furnishings and an abundance of books.
1993: Investigators Search for "Nathan"
In 1993, during the Unabomber investigation, the FBI sought an individual named "Nathan," whose name was found on a letter sent to the media, highlighting the challenges of the investigation.
1993: World Trade Center Bombing
The 1993 World Trade Center bombing, orchestrated by Ramzi Yousef, who would later become Kaczynski's acquaintance in prison, marked a significant act of terrorism on US soil.
1993: Kaczynski Resumes Bombings After Six-Year Hiatus
In 1993, after a six-year break, Kaczynski resumed his bombing campaign. He mailed a bomb to Charles Epstein at the University of California, San Francisco, and another to David Gelernter, a computer science professor at Yale University. Epstein lost several fingers, while Gelernter suffered severe injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye, hearing loss in one ear, and damage to his right hand.
1994: Italian Unabomber Active
The Italian Unabomber, emulating Kaczynski, began attacks in Italy in 1994.
1994: Burson-Marsteller Executive Killed by Mail Bomb
In 1994, Kaczynski sent a mail bomb that killed Thomas J. Mosser, an executive at Burson-Marsteller. In a letter to The New York Times, Kaczynski claimed responsibility and stated that he targeted Mosser because of his work in repairing Exxon's public image after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
September 1995: Kaczynski's Manifesto Published
In September 1995, The Washington Post published Kaczynski's manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future," following his promise to cease his terrorist activities if it was printed.
September 1995: Publication of "Industrial Society and Its Future" and David Kaczynski's Suspicions
In September 1995, the Unabomber's manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future," was published. Ted Kaczynski's brother, David, became suspicious that Ted might be the Unabomber after reading the manifesto due to its similarities to Ted's previous writings.
September 19, 1995: Publication of "Industrial Society and Its Future"
On September 19, 1995, The Washington Post published Kaczynski's 35,000-word essay, "Industrial Society and Its Future", also known as the "Unabomber Manifesto". This publication was the result of Kaczynski's demand that a major newspaper print his manifesto in exchange for ceasing his terrorist activities.
1995: Timber Industry Lobbyist Killed by Mail Bomb
In 1995, Gilbert Brent Murray, president of the timber industry lobbying group California Forestry Association, was killed by a mail bomb sent by Kaczynski.
1995: Kaczynski's Bombings Continue
Ted Kaczynski's campaign of mail bombings continued until 1995.
1995: Oklahoma City Bombing
The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, carried out by Timothy McVeigh, who would later befriend Kaczynski in prison, was a devastating act of domestic terrorism that profoundly impacted the United States.
February 1996: FBI Confirms Authorship
In February 1996, the FBI, after examining a 1971 essay written by Kaczynski, confirmed through linguistic analysis by James R. Fitzgerald that the author of the essay and the Unabomber manifesto was likely the same person, leading to a search warrant for Kaczynski's cabin.
April 3, 1996: Kaczynski Arrested
On April 3, 1996, Ted Kaczynski was arrested at his cabin. The FBI found bomb-making materials, journals containing descriptions of his crimes, and the original manuscript of "Industrial Society and Its Future."
April 1996: David Kaczynski's Identity Leaked
In April 1996, despite assurances of anonymity, David Kaczynski's identity as the one who turned in his brother was leaked to CBS News. The FBI, caught off guard, expedited the search warrant for Kaczynski's arrest.
June 1996: Kaczynski Indicted
In June 1996, a federal grand jury indicted Kaczynski on ten counts related to the illegal transportation, mailing, and use of bombs, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings against him.
1996: Mathematicians Reflect on Kaczynski's Work
In 1996, mathematicians interviewed by the Los Angeles Times suggested that Kaczynski's specific mathematical subfield had largely faded since the 1960s.
1996: Kaczynski's Brother Contacts FBI
After recognizing his brother's writing style in the published manifesto, David Kaczynski contacted the FBI in 1996.
1996: Kaczynski's Arrest
After years of evading authorities, Kaczynski was finally apprehended in 1996.
1996: Investigation and Linguistic Analysis
In early 1996, investigators, with the help of criminal profiler Clinton R. Van Zandt, compared the Unabomber manifesto to Ted Kaczynski's writings provided by his brother David. Linguistic analysis showed a high probability that the same person wrote both.
1996: Unabomber Film Release
The television film "Unabomber: The True Story" was released.
January 8, 1998: Kaczynski Attempts to Dismiss Lawyers
On January 8, 1998, Kaczynski, dissatisfied with his lawyers' insanity defense strategy, attempted to replace them with Tony Serra, who agreed to focus on his anti-technology views.
January 21, 1998: Kaczynski Declared Competent to Stand Trial
Despite the controversial psychiatric diagnoses, Kaczynski was deemed mentally competent to face trial on January 21, 1998, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
January 22, 1998: Kaczynski Pleads Guilty
On January 22, 1998, Kaczynski changed his plea to guilty on all charges, accepting a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, a decision he later attempted to retract.
1998: Kaczynski Finds Validation in Ellul's Writing
In 1998, Ted Kaczynski revealed that he felt a strong connection to Jacques Ellul's book "The Technological Society," seeing it as aligning with his own thoughts.
1998: Kaczynski Pleads Guilty
Kaczynski pleaded guilty to all charges against him in 1998, accepting responsibility for his mail bombing campaign.
1999: Kurzweil Quotes Kaczynski
Ray Kurzweil quoted Kaczynski's manifesto in his book "The Age of Spiritual Machines".
2000: Bill Joy References Kaczynski
Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, referenced Kaczynski in his Wired article "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us," acknowledging his views on technology.
2000: Report Reveals High Cost of Unabomber Investigation
In 2000, a US government report revealed that the Unabomber investigation, culminating in Kaczynski's arrest, was the most expensive in FBI history at the time, costing over \$50 million.
2001: Timothy McVeigh Executed
Timothy McVeigh, convicted for the Oklahoma City bombing, was executed in 2001, ending his friendship with Kaczynski, which had formed during their time in prison.
October 2005: Kaczynski Offers Book Donation
In October 2005, Kaczynski offered to donate two rare books to Northwestern University's Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, the site of his first two attacks. The library declined, already possessing copies.
2006: Court Orders Auction of Kaczynski's Possessions
In 2006, the court ordered the auctioning of items from Kaczynski's cabin, excluding bomb-making materials, with proceeds going towards the restitution owed to his victims.
2006: Italian Unabomber Apprehended
The Italian Unabomber was apprehended, ending his string of attacks that began in 1994.
2006: Kaczynski Reflects on Time at Michigan
Years later, in 2006, Kaczynski shared his thoughts on his time at the University of Michigan, revealing mixed feelings about the experience.
2010: Kaczynski Challenges Schizophrenia Diagnosis
In his 2010 book, "Technological Slavery," Kaczynski disputed the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia made during his trial, claiming that prison psychologists he interacted with found no evidence of the disorder.
2011: Breivik's Manifesto
Anders Behring Breivik, perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, published a manifesto heavily influenced by Kaczynski's work.
2011: Person of Interest in Tylenol Murders
In 2011, Kaczynski became a person of interest in the Chicago Tylenol murders and offered, then withdrew, a DNA sample as leverage in his legal battles with the FBI.
2011: Auction of Kaczynski's Belongings Raises Over \$232,000
The 2011 online auction of Kaczynski's belongings, including personal letters and writings with redactions to references about his victims, lasted two weeks and generated over \$232,000.
2011: Play about Kaczynski Premieres
The play "P.O. Box Unabomber" premiered.
2012: Harvard Alumni Directory Listing
For Harvard's 1962 class reunion directory, Kaczynski listed "prisoner" as his occupation and his life sentences as "awards."
2012: Documentary about Kaczynski Released
The documentary "Stemple Pass" about Kaczynski was released.
2017: Manhunt: Unabomber Airs
The television series "Manhunt: Unabomber" aired, contributing to renewed interest in Kaczynski's ideas.
2017: Manhunt: Unabomber Premieres
The television series "Manhunt: Unabomber" premiered.
2019: Kaczynski's Cabin Displayed
Kaczynski's cabin, seized by the government, was on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., until late 2019, when it was moved to an FBI museum.
March 2021: Rectal Cancer Diagnosis
Kaczynski was diagnosed with rectal cancer in March 2021 after experiencing rectal bleeding.
December 14, 2021: Transfer to Butner
On December 14, 2021, Kaczynski was transferred to Federal Medical Center, Butner, in North Carolina, due to rectal bleeding and a cancer diagnosis.
2021: Film about Kaczynski Released
The film "Ted K" about Kaczynski was released.
March 2023: Treatment Refusal
Kaczynski ceased all cancer treatment in March 2023 due to severe side effects and low chances of recovery.
May 2023: Psychiatric Evaluation
In May 2023, a prison oncologist, noting Kaczynski's depression, recommended him for a psychiatric evaluation.
June 10, 2023: Death of Theodore Kaczynski
Theodore Kaczynski died by suicide in prison on June 10, 2023.
June 2023: Kaczynski Dies in Prison
Theodore Kaczynski died by suicide in prison in June 2023, ending a life marked by both intellectual brilliance and devastating violence.
2023: Not applicable
Not applicable
2049: Correspondence Release Date
The identities of most correspondents in Kaczynski's letters, housed at the University of Michigan's Labadie Collection, will remain sealed until 2049.