# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 116
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2301 "2020-02-21T06:37:57Z")
Is this based on a true story? Is this based on a fictional story? Is this something that could happen in the real world? So I assume that PO box didn’t double as a hospital room, so they weren’t literally born there? Were the “people” in your question humans? Real life humans, or fictional humans? Was the odd characteristic their origin? Something physical? Something about their appearance? Something about their behavior? Something about their personalty? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2302 "2020-02-21T12:32:58Z")
\*\*In 1663, about 100-150 people were born, all sharing an odd characteristic. What is it and how did it come to be? \*\* > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is this based on a true story? > > YES > > Is this based on a fictional story? > > NO > > Is this something that could happen in the real world? > > YES > > So I assume that PO box didn’t double as a hospital room, so they weren’t literally born there? > > YES(your statement is correct) > > Were the “people” in your question humans? > > YES > > Real life humans, or fictional humans? > > REAL > > Was the odd characteristic their origin? > > YES ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2303 "2020-02-21T16:16:40Z")
Are we talking about literal births (as in, you know, placentas and wailing babies)? Some sort of rebirth? New identity? Some sort of religious born again thing? ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2304 "2020-02-21T18:33:55Z")
In relation to 1663, is the connection to the parents of the 100-150 who were born,? IOW, the parents had some connection to 1663 at the time of the birth of their child who is one of the 100-150? Or, was the connection to 1663 primarily to the children? Is the actual number of children known, but just estimated here for convenience? Or, is it unknown? Does it have to do with nationality or citizenship? Eligibility for something? Proof of residency? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2305 "2020-02-21T19:32:50Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Are we talking about literal births (as in, you know, placentas and wailing babies)? > > YES > > Some sort of rebirth? > > NO > > New identity? > > NO > > Some sort of religious born again thing? > > NO > [@eschrodinger](#): > > In relation to 1663, is the connection to the parents of the 100-150 who were born,? > > Hmmm…both kids and parents > > IOW, the parents had some connection to 1663 at the time of the birth of their child who is one of the 100-150? > > Uh, yes I guess that is right > > Or, was the connection to 1663 primarily to the children?. > > Again, both. > > Is the actual number of children known, but just estimated here for convenience? > Or, is it unknown? > > I think it is known, but I have only seen estimates > > Does it have to do with nationality or citizenship? > > NO > > Eligibility for something? > > NO > > Proof of residency? > > NO kk ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2306 "2020-02-21T19:41:59Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > kk Was it something related to biology (as in fertility drugs, or sperm samples)? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2307 "2020-02-21T19:57:47Z")
Did the PO Box 1663 facilitate the birth of the children? Facilitate conception? Facilitate the meeting of the parents? Did the children or the parents ever physically visit the PO box? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2308 "2020-02-21T20:24:47Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Was it something related to biology (as in fertility drugs, or sperm samples)? NO > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Did the PO Box 1663 facilitate the birth of the children? > Facilitate conception? > Facilitate the meeting of the parents? > Did the children or the parents ever physically visit the PO box? NO to everything here ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2309 "2020-02-21T20:34:43Z")
Fine. Let’s go back to basics. Somebody received something in a PO box? And there’s a correlation between that action and about 150 people being born? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2310 "2020-02-21T20:37:54Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Somebody received something in a PO box? > > And there’s a correlation between that action and about 150 people being born? NO to everything here. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2311 "2020-02-21T22:21:30Z")
I’m pretty sure I know the answer. I’ll bow out now, in case others want to have a go. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2312 "2020-02-22T17:18:25Z")
I swear to God, Mahaloth, if there’s a pun involved, I’m pitting you. Fine, the PO Box was used for: -Permanent address? -Mail? -Package delivery? -As a sort of safe? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2313 "2020-02-22T19:53:06Z")
Was the P.O. box used as the mailing address for the location where they were born? Were they all born in the same location? Did the parents share a common occupation? If yes: military personnel? Scientists? Crew of a ship? Did the parents share any other characteristics in common? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2314 "2020-02-22T20:28:19Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Was the P.O. box used as the mailing address for the location where they were born? > > YES > > Were they all born in the same location? > > YES > > Did the parents share a common occupation? If yes: military personnel? Scientists? Crew of a ship? > > YES, for the most part. MILITARY PERSONNEL & SCIENTISTS > > (no to crew of ship) > > Did the parents share any other characteristics in common? > > NO - the job and living location being the big one kk ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2315 "2020-02-22T20:31:44Z")
Were they born in Antarctica? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2316 "2020-02-22T20:54:02Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > I swear to God, Mahaloth, if there’s a pun involved, I’m pitting you. > > NO pun. 😃 > > Fine, the PO Box was used for: > > -Permanent address? > > NO(not to live inside the little POX box) > > -Mail? > > YES > > -Package delivery? > > YES > -As a sort of safe? > > NO > [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Were they born in Antarctica? NO ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2317 "2020-02-22T21:53:04Z")
Foreign military bases? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2318 "2020-02-22T22:01:20Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Foreign military bases? NO ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2319 "2020-02-22T22:17:05Z")
Was it a PO Box used for people working on a secret project, like the Manhattan Project? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2320 "2020-02-22T22:27:10Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Was it a PO Box used for people working on a secret project, like the Manhattan Project? YES. In fact…you solved it! It was the Manhattan Project! The babies were listed as being born at PO Box 1663 because the actual location of the project was secret. Mail-carriers began to get suspicious when hundreds of baby items were all going to the same location. They were actually born at Los Alamos, but it had to be kept secret because of the project. Their birth certificates specifically listed PO Box 1663 as their place of birth, which was rather strange. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=117)