On May 22, 1942, Ted Kaczynski was born in Chicago, Illinois. He showed early signs of being a mathematics genius, leading to a professorship at the University of California at a young age. However, his promising academic career took a dark turn as he began to isolate himself from society, eventually becoming known as The Unabomber.
For over 20 years, Kaczynski orchestrated a terrifying mailbomb campaign targeting universities and airliners. The FBI coined the case with the acronyms UN (for university) and Airline BOM (for bombing), giving rise to his infamous nickname. His reign of terror came to an end when he was exposed by his estranged brother.
During his time in prison, Kaczynski found himself in the same unit as another notorious criminal, Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. The two had conversations, but Kaczynski was unimpressed by the younger bomber. Despite their interactions, Kaczynski remained steadfast in his beliefs and unrepentant for his actions.
The Unabomber case remains one of the most infamous acts of domestic terrorism in American history. Kaczynski's story serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of radicalization and isolation. His genius mind twisted by his extreme beliefs, Kaczynski's legacy continues to impact discussions on mental health, radicalization, and domestic terrorism.