ev 754

[mad max]

anyone out there trying to do this one, I have completed grid and have all but six of the minus or plus letters, any clues, hints (or answers as ive spent too many hours on this one) re the preamble etc, many thanks

[Quizmonkey]

Difficult to know what to suggest. If you're working on a copy, highlight the 'minus' letters so you see the shape. But you really need all 10 for the anagram - then everything will fall into place.

[mad max]

many thanks for tip,will have one last try today mm

[Quizmonkey]

As a last resort, think about the title and what those 'first words' (spoken by an adult) might mean. Superb ending to this puzzle so worth persevering!

[novalis]

Think of a famous inventor who might have RUNG and find the famous words.he spoke. As Quizmonkey writes, it is worth persevering with and the final pattern ( i.e. quotation and numbers ) are well thought out. Think (old-fashioned) shape of the invention.

Happy solving!

[mad max]

finally after I don't know how many hours "it rings a bell" and at one stage I was even thinking "quasimodo" as the dead ringer, very many thanks to you both mm