New York City’s Mad Bomber places his first bomb at a Manhattan office building used by Consolidated Edison.

November 16, 1940, marked the beginning of a chilling saga that sent shockwaves throughout New York City, as the infamous Mad Bomber placed his first bomb at a Manhattan office building used by Consolidated Edison. This eerie event would soon escalate into an infamous crime spree that kept New York City on its toes for almost 16 years.

The Mad Bomber, later identified as George Metesky, was a disgruntled former Consolidated Edison employee. Seemingly motivated by revenge, Metesky’s sights were initially set on the behemoth electricity company. Throughout his campaign, the Mad Bomber would plant over 30 bombs in various locations around the city.

The date, November 16, 1940, is deeply etched into the annals of New York City’s crime history. The bombs, although not always going off, were carefully and strategically placed. The bomber demonstrated a methodical approach, targeting public areas to incite maximum terror and pandemonium.

The first bomb was discreetly placed in the basement of a Manhattan building frequented by Consolidated Edison employees. Though the first device failed to explode, it set the stage for the fear and apprehension that would grip the city in the coming years as more similarly designed bombs appeared in numerous public spaces within the city.

The ‘Mad Bomber’s’ way of operating was not just about causing physical damage or endangering lives, it was a psychological warfare, creating a climate of fear that held New York City hostage. With each new discovery of an unexploded bomb, the tension in the city thickened, and the race to find the perpetrator intensified.

During his reign of terror, the Mad Bomber cleverly manipulated the media, leaving hand-written letters that were often published, serving to fuel the relentless fear amongst the city’s populace. Each bombing and subsequent letter pushed law enforcement to the edge.

The investigation into the Mad Bomber, his motives, methods, and subsequent capture in 1957, is a fascinating study of forensics, police work, and the use of psychological profiling. Authorities, at a loss to identify him, turned to criminal profiling, marking one of the first instances of its extensive use in catching a perpetrator.

Using criminal psychological profiling, authorities were able to pinpoint likely characteristics of the bomber, such as his probable profession, his mental state, and his motivations. This information led to several leads that eventually tracked down George Metesky, the man behind the bombs.

After 16 years, the end of the Mad Bomber’s reign brought about a great sigh of relief for New York City. His capture marked a major triumph in law enforcement and criminal psychology, proving the effectiveness of utilizing psychological profiling in solving crimes.

To this day, the haunting tale of the Mad Bomber remains a poignant part of New York City’s crime history. The infamous story of a disgruntled former employee seeking revenge against Consolidated Edison through meticulously planned and executed bombings serves as a stark reminder of the pervasiveness of crime.

However, it also highlights how advanced investigative techniques, like criminal psychological profiling, can play a significant role in bringing culprits to justice. As such, the tale of the Mad Bomber and the subsequent investigation continues to be a topic of study for aspiring criminal psychologists and investigators.

Even though the Mad Bomber’s initial attack on a Consolidated Edison office building in Manhattan occurred over eight decades ago, the lessons learned from this unparalleled crime spree remain highly relevant today. It underscores the significance of psychological profiling in criminal investigations, transforming how law enforcement tackles complex, high-profile cases. The case of the Mad Bomber serves as a benchmark in criminal forensic psychology and continues to shape investigative practices in law enforcement.