Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After three years, the San Jose Semaphore has been solved! The puzzle, created by Ben Rubin, features rotating discs at the top of Adobe’s Almaden Tower that hide a secret message through data points of bytes and numbered colors.
When creating the puzzle, Ben sprinkled in footholds for the code breaker to latch onto when starting to assess it. He also balanced it with red herrings to make the puzzle interesting to solve with the right amount of redundant information.
The difficulty level? Perfect. At least, that’s what Brian Vincent said after solving the puzzle. As a software engineer, Brian understood data and recognized patterns in what the Semaphore was communicating. However, it took stepping away from the puzzle for about a year for him to feel like he was making progress.
“In some ways it seems a little bit simple, but at the same time it takes a lot of work and a lot of effort, and it stands for years before anyone solves it,” said Brian.
Will you attempt to solve the next iteration of the San Jose Semaphore?
About Adobe:
Adobe empowers everyone, everywhere to imagine, create, and bring any digital experience to life. From creators and students to small businesses, global enterprises, and nonprofit organizations, customers choose Adobe products to ideate, collaborate, be more productive, drive business growth, and build remarkable experiences.
Creative Cloud (adobe.ly/3SuYObN) Industry-leading photography, design, illustration, and video apps that professionals rely on to do their best work.
Document Cloud (adobe.ly/4eiKw6P) The world's leading platform for viewing, summarizing, editing, sharing, collaborating, and signing PDF documents.
Experience Cloud (adobe.ly/4oV8QPT) Everything businesses need to design and deliver great customer experiences that drive profitable growth.
Adobe Express (adobe.ly/4fTZzVM) The quick and easy create-anything app for making standout social posts, videos, flyers, and more.
Connect with Adobe: Instagram: adobe.ly/4uGeYfN
TikTok: adobe.ly/3QQ0MmD
LinkedIn: adobe.ly/44ji12O
Facebook: adobe.ly/4vRWvxR
Twitter: adobe.ly/4vRWvOn
After three years, the San Jose Semaphore has been solved! The puzzle, created by Ben Rubin, features rotating discs at the top of Adobe’s Almaden Tower that hide a secret message through data points of bytes and numbered colors.
When creating the puzzle, Ben sprinkled in footholds for the code breaker to latch onto when starting to assess it. He also balanced it with red herrings to make the puzzle interesting to solve with the right amount of redundant information.
The difficulty level? Perfect. At least, that’s what Brian Vincent said after solving the puzzle. As a software engineer, Brian understood data and recognized patterns in what the Semaphore was communicating. However, it took stepping away from the puzzle for about a year for him to feel like he was making progress.
“In some ways it seems a little bit simple, but at the same time it takes a lot of work and a lot of effort, and it stands for years before anyone solves it,” said Brian.
Will you attempt to solve the next iteration of the San Jose Semaphore?
About Adobe:
Adobe empowers everyone, everywhere to imagine, create, and bring any digital experience to life. From creators and students to small businesses, global enterprises, and nonprofit organizations, customers choose Adobe products to ideate, collaborate, be more productive, drive business growth, and build remarkable experiences.
Creative Cloud (adobe.ly/3SuYObN) Industry-leading photography, design, illustration, and video apps that professionals rely on to do their best work.
Document Cloud (adobe.ly/4eiKw6P) The world's leading platform for viewing, summarizing, editing, sharing, collaborating, and signing PDF documents.
Experience Cloud (adobe.ly/4oV8QPT) Everything businesses need to design and deliver great customer experiences that drive profitable growth.
Adobe Express (adobe.ly/4fTZzVM) The quick and easy create-anything app for making standout social posts, videos, flyers, and more.
Connect with Adobe: Instagram: adobe.ly/4uGeYfN
TikTok: adobe.ly/3QQ0MmD
LinkedIn: adobe.ly/44ji12O
Facebook: adobe.ly/4vRWvxR
Twitter: adobe.ly/4vRWvOn
