Publius Enigma

The Publius Enigma is an Internet phenomenon (and potentially an unsolved problem) that began with cryptic messages posted by a user identifying only as "Publius" to the unmoderated Usenet newsgroup alt.music.pink-floyd through the Penet remailer, a now defunct anonymous information exchange service. The messenger proposed a riddle in connection with the 1994 Pink Floyd album The Division Bell, promising that the answer would lead to a reward. Pink Floyd's lead singer, David Gilmour, denied any involvement while album artist Storm Thorgerson was bemused by the ordeal. Drummer Nick Mason claimed that EMI Records were ultimately responsible. It remains unclear if the enigma involves a genuinely solvable puzzle as part of an early Internet-based contest or was a convoluted hoax engineered in part by the band's management. Regardless, the mystery continues to attract a small but loyal cult following.

During the 1994 Division Bell World Tour, Columbia Records flew a 194-foot-long (59 m) airship named The Division Belle between Pink Floyd concert locations. The Columbia Electronic Press Kit was released to the media, along with the Promo Spots Video consisting of interviews with band members, footage of the airship in action, and a segment which contained the following:

"A spokesperson for Pink Floyd has issued the following statement: You have spotted the Pink Floyd Airship. Do not be alarmed. Pink Floyd have sent their airship to North America to deliver a message. The Pink Floyd Airship is headed towards a destination where all will be explained upon arrival. Pink Floyd will communicate."

On 11 June 1994, a user of the anonymous Penet remailer service posted the following message to the Usenet newsgroup alt.music.pink-floyd:

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