Get ready for Bloomberg’s Summer of Puzzles 2024
June 14, 2024
Welcome to Bloomberg’s Summer of Puzzles 2024! Starting on Friday, June 21, we will be posting a new puzzle every Friday at 12:00 PM EDT. The hunt will last 9 weeks. All puzzles are logic-based with no directions; they will take your creativity and ingenuity to solve. Solving the weekly puzzle will earn you points toward becoming the winner! Check this page each week to learn more about what inspired the creators!
If you miss a week, don’t worry! Puzzles from previous weeks will remain unlocked for you to solve at any time throughout the duration of the 9 weeks until the hunt closes on Friday, August 23. For the first three days that each puzzle is available, hints will be released every 12 hours. All released hints will remain available for the full 9 weeks.
Some important things to understand about how Summer of Puzzles works:
- If you solve a puzzle after all of the hints have been released, you can still earn the maximum number of points, but your ranking will be below those who completed the puzzle before you.
- There is no penalty for submitting an incorrect answer.
- Looking at hints does not impact your score.
Visit https://puzl.ink/summer today to register to participate in Bloomberg’s Summer of Puzzles. We encourage you to invite your friends to compete with you! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @TechAtBloomberg (we might just drop a teaser or two there) or to tag your posts on social media with #SummerOfPuzzles and/or #BloombergBpuzzled.
And if you’ve ever wondered why software engineers love puzzles so much, Puzzle Team Member Sam Beckley, an Engineering Team Lead on the Bloomberg Managed Services: Identity & Access Management team, shared some insight into why puzzles are fun and interesting:
“Whenever someone asks me what I love most about Bloomberg my answer is always ‘the people,’ followed quickly by all of the interesting problems we get to work on. For me, puzzles combine the best elements of both of these things. Solving puzzles has led to my meeting fantastic people, both inside and outside of Bloomberg. It also has the added benefit that, unlike the challenging technical problems I’m solving in my day job, these are specifically designed to be fun.
Working on the Puzzle Team at Bloomberg has given me an opportunity to give back to the puzzle community. It has also challenged me to stretch my brain to create new, interesting, and, above all else, fun puzzles for others to solve. The only feeling better than the ‘Aha!’ moment when you finally solve a puzzle is watching someone else experience the ‘Aha!’ on a puzzle you had a hand in writing, and knowing that you were responsible for putting that smile on their face.”
Happy Puzzling!
Week 9 Meta Puzzle:
Bloomberg Summer Games
Our first eight puzzles have dropped. At 12:00 PM EDT today (Friday, August 16, 2024), our Meta Puzzle will open! If you got stuck on one or two of our previous puzzles, don’t worry – every puzzle is unlocked already and all their hints are also available! The answers to the earlier puzzles will feed directly into the Meta Puzzle.
The winner of our 2024 Summer of Puzzles will be the first person to solve Bloomberg Summer Games (created by Alastair Stanley)!
While you ponder this year’s meta puzzle, learn more about Lesley Lai, the Summer of Puzzles’ Design Team Leader.
What’s one of your favorite countries/cities around the globe to visit?
Dali, China
Tell us about something interesting you learned about the culture of that country/city.
People in Dali (and in the Yunnan Province in general) are very close to nature. A big part of their diet consists of ingredients gathered from the mountains instead of those that are farmed – wild mushrooms, wild leafy vegetables, flower blossoms, berries, etc.
One fun fact is that the people who live there love wild mushrooms for their remarkable flavors, to a point where they are willing to risk their lives to consume mushrooms that could be poisonous if not cooked properly. During the rainy season, the local government will post a lot of warnings and educational materials on different social media platforms to remind people that consuming wild mushrooms could be dangerous, but that does not stop their cravings.
Do you have a favorite sport?
For my own practice: cycling and jogging. I love riding my bicycle when navigating the city. Not only is it green, but also it helps me to avoid being stuck in traffic, and I often get to places faster than had I taken a cab or ridden the subway. As for jogging, it is meditative for me. I just clear my thoughts and only focus on moving my body efficiently and coordinating my breathing as I move. Plus, my eyes can relax by looking at things in nature instead of staring at a screen.
For entertainment purposes: soccer! I don’t consider myself a soccer fan, but I enjoy the social aspect of watching a match with friends and cheering for a team. The length of a soccer game is perfect for a hangout, and while it is full of exciting moments, it doesn’t require one to pay full attention the entire time. Witnessing really tricky shots and good team play sparks more joy when watching a game!
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Eileen Gu – and that’s not just because she’s the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing, but also because she inspired many girls to pick up a sport and to be faster, higher, and stronger!
Did you know?
With the free Bloomberg Connects mobile app, users can explore expert-curated content and guides to more than 400 museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardes, and cultural spaces from the palm of their hands.
Senior Software Engineer Roseanna McMahon (she/her/hers)
Creator of Week 8 Puzzle: A Happy Medium
What country are you from?
England.
Share a little bit about your nation’s culture.
When “Angels” by Robbie Williams plays, it’s time to go home.
Do you have a favorite sport?
No, I am famously un-sporty. You’re far more likely to find me at the library than anywhere near a sportsground.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Taylor Swift! Her Eras Tour performance is unparalleled as a feat of athleticism — they are basically marathons — and I was lucky enough to get tickets to watch the spectacle in Edinburgh last month! I am so impressed by how she makes her music feel so personal while still appealing to a mass audience. Plus, she must have incredible stamina to get through the gig each night. What a feat!
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
Continuing on the Swiftie theme, I think the collaborative effort it requires from Taylor to work with her band, dancers, and the team responsible for staging the show each night can definitely be learned from by software engineers. Working on an application at Bloomberg couldn’t be done solo. But, by having a wider team contribute ideas on how to best solve a problem, we get the best results.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
I’ve worked on puzzles for a few years and have always done something with word play or similar. That’s why I was keen to try something else and made a visual puzzle instead. I also learnt a lot about various works of art while creating this puzzle, so that was fun too.
Did you know?
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is a global series of corporate team-building running events held in 13 of the world’s most vibrant financial cities.
Software Engineer Chris Benedict (he/him/his)
Creator of Week 7 Puzzle: Squares Mile Relay
What country are you from?
The United States.
Do you have a favorite sport?
My favorite team sport is soccer, and my favorite individual sport is swimming. Growing up, you’d never find me far from a pool; I competed on a swimming team for 14 years. I’ve also played soccer throughout my life and continue to play occasionally on a pick-up team of players from Bloomberg.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Daniel E. “Rudy” Ruettiger. When I was younger, I really enjoyed the movie dramatization, as well as the real life story of his time with Notre Dame. Determination and perseverance go a long way in helping to accomplish anything.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
Software development isn’t an individual trying to tackle a problem in a vacuum. Software development is a team sport. No one person will have the best idea to tackle every problem 100 percent of the time, but thankfully, our goal while designing and developing software is to find the best solution to any problem as a team.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay inspired my puzzle; it is a running race held in many different cities around the world each year.
Did you know?
Beyond Carbon is Bloomberg Philanthropies’ nationwide initiative aimed at ending the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels and advancing the transition to a 100% clean energy economy.
Senior Software Engineer Jose Garcia Negron (he/him)
Creator of Week 6 Puzzle: River Cleanup
What country are you from?
I’m from the United States, but I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I’ve lived in New York City for close to 6 years.
Share a little bit about your nation’s culture.
Puerto Rico is a small island with a lot of heart. One of my favorite parts of the culture is the ability to turn everything into a celebration; anything from big to small achievements is fair game. Our holiday season lasts two months!
Do you have a favorite sport?
I have tried out many sports, but the one that’s stuck is tennis. That journey started more than 20 years ago when my aunt “lent” me a racket and said: “It’s yours as long as you keep practicing.” 20 years later, it’s still my favorite racket!
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
All of them! For me, it’s hard to pick just one because I am always motivated by watching someone do well – whether it is landing a perfect dive or a triple axel jump on the ice. Athletes really show that, through practice and determination, even the hardest skills are achievable!
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
One of my favorite parts of designing puzzles is the dataset discovery aspect. So, when I saw the opportunity to learn more about rivers and build something around them, I jumped at the chance!
Did you know?
A few years ago, Bloomberg’s UX team worked with clients who self-reported having Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) to design new CVD color schemes for the Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg Terminal users can run PDFU COLORS <GO> to apply the new accessibility color schemes for Deuteranopia and Protanomaly. (Source)
Software Engineering Manager Taigen O (he/him/his)
Creator of Week 5 Puzzle: The UX Lab
What country are you from?
I was born and raised in Japan. After moving to the United States for college, I’ve lived in New York City ever since.
Do you have a favorite sport?
Rock climbing and running have been my biggest athletic hobbies. However, every four years, I love watching new sports that I’ve never played before. I enjoy learning about new sports, their rules and strategies, and what makes certain athletes better than others.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
In addition to teamwork, there’s also an understanding that there is more than one approach to solving problems. Different athletes may have different training regiments and approaches to the sports they play. Similarly, different engineers bring different ideas to the table. It is important to keep an open mind and listen to your teammates as you all work towards a common solution.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
Usability is a large part of the applications my teams build. We work closely with the UX team on our Bloomberg Terminal functions, from the initial wireframes all the way to production release. Plus, my wife is a UX Researcher, so this was a fun theme to design a puzzle around!
Did you know?
The intent behind our pantries, which you can find in every Bloomberg office around the globe, is for employees to build community around food.
Software Engineering Manager Nico Aiello (he/him/his)
Creator of Week 4 Puzzle: Pantry Queen
What country are you from?
The United States, but both of my parents are Italian.
Share a little bit about your nation’s culture.
Italian culture is steeped in the arts, architecture, and music. But, for me, being Italian is defined by food and family. There is nothing more important than family, and every meal together is an expression of love.
Do you have a favorite sport?
My favorite sport is volleyball, which I try to play two or three times a week. I am also a member of the New York Gay Football League, and recently started playing tennis.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
I’ve been watching a lot of classic tennis matches lately, so I’d say Roger Federer. He is not only an incredible athlete, but also epitomizes good sportsmanship. He has a calm and effortless quality both on and off the court that I respect a lot.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
There is this feeling I get when I solve a problem with code or when someone first uses a software application that I worked on that parallels the feeling when I have a good hit in volleyball, catch a football, or win a game. I think engineers and athletes are both driven by and take pride in that feeling. As individuals, we are each putting our minds and hearts into the work we do to utilize our skills in a way that feels meaningful and satisfying.
On a larger scale, a team of athletes, just like a team of engineers, build a culture of trust and communication to make each other better and collaborate to achieve a common goal. In both cases, success happens when the group is stronger together than the sum of the individuals.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
I can’t really answer this question without spoiling the puzzle a bit, so I’ll just say I have always wanted to make a puzzle with this topic and am really proud of how it came out.
Did you know?
The Bloomberg Terminal was created before the Internet, so we had to build one of the world’s largest private networks… which we still operate today!
Senior Software Engineer Alastair Stanley (he/him/his)
Creator of Week 3 Puzzle: Medal Making
What country are you from?
Scotland the brave, though I’ve lived and worked in London, England for the past six years.
Share a little bit about your nation’s culture.
We are a proud wee nation of inventors and dreamers. My ancestors brought the world steam engines, flushing toilets, TV and telephones, penicillin, refrigeration, and Dolly the Sheep. Now some of us make puzzles.
Do you have a favorite sport?
I love to throw things. I’ve been a track & field fan for most of my life, and still coach discus and javelin. I’m also partial to a caber toss, and once competed in a coconut-throwing competition.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Kim Collins. He is a world-class sprinter who continued competing well past his peak because of his love for the sport. I want to find things in life that I can be that passionate about. Kim is the only person over 40 to have run the 100 meters in under 10 seconds. He has a Kittitian national day named after him.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
Absolutely. In sports like rock climbing, it’s all about finding the balance between planning and execution. You might only need to think for a minute or two at your local climbing wall, but some projects take months to properly plan them out down to the smallest detail. Sounds familiar…
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
The history of sport is often fascinating. Long before the Olympics finally settled on the familiar gold medal in 1904, the champions of athletic competitions throughout history were awarded horses, olive wreaths, and silver medals. Wouldn’t it be fun if our Bloomberg medals were more creative?
Did you know?
Bloomberg employees have access to more than 200 cultural institutions and events around the world at a discount or for free with their Bloomberg badge.
Senior Software Engineer Alban Lefebvre (he/him/his)
Creator of Week 2 Puzzle: Roman’s Reformation
What country are you from?
I’m from France, though I lived in the U.S. for 11 years. Now I live in Lugano, Switzerland.
Share a little bit about your nation’s culture.
French culture is a lot about food, and we value and respect good gastronomy and having long meals with friends or family. Also, France’s institutions have a strong emphasis on equality and social justice (it’s even in our country’s motto: “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”).
Do you have a favorite sport?
I have been following rugby for a long time, but I also practice volleyball.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Antoine Dupont, one of the best rugby players right now. Despite his shorter physique, he compensates by excelling in reading the game and finding ways to go through the defense regardless.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
In order to get the most out of their work, both athletes and software engineers need to be very methodical and analyze every bit that could be optimized. In both domains, once you’ve reached a good level of understanding, every seemingly small improvement makes the final product better in the end.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
I have always been interested in ancient languages and how much they’re present in most words we use every day. While researching for this puzzle, I was amazed to find that there used to be art competitions at the same level of the sporting competitions.
Did you know?
Persistent chats (or p-chats) are a way for employees to connect internally through our messaging system, Instant Bloomberg (IB). Topics include everything from skiing to investing and everything in between.
Software Engineer Joanna Zhang (they/she)
Creator of Week 1 Puzzle: Snowsport Stances
What’s one of your favorite countries/cities around the globe to visit?
Kyoto, Japan.
Tell us about something interesting you learned about the culture of that country/city.
People would finish their drinks from a vending machine right at the machine, rather than walking away with them.
Do you have a favorite sport?
Swimming, with a life jacket.
Which athlete has inspired you and why?
Lionel Messi, as he has proven that, through hard work and passion for their craft, short people can also achieve great things 😆.
Do you see any parallels between how athletes approach their sports and how software engineers build applications?
Just as athletes improve their skills through practice, by reviewing their performance, and receiving feedback from coaches, we also improve software applications through rigorous testing, monitoring performance metrics, and gathering end-user feedback.
What inspired the theme of your puzzle?
The solve word LOL. The idea was inspired by generative NFT art collections, where layers of traits are put together in different combinations to produce a multitude of characters. The puzzle art was produced in a similar manner by Lesley Lai, our amazing Summer of Puzzles’ Design Team Leader.