- The Bitcoin whitepaper, authored by Satoshi Nakamoto, can be found hidden in Macs running macOS Catalina or newer, but the reason remains unknown.
- The hidden Bitcoin whitepaper is linked to a device called “Virtual Scanner II,” which is concealed for some users or not installed by default.
A curious discovery has been made by tech blogger Andy Baio, who found the original Bitcoin whitepaper within macOS. Authored by the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the whitepaper can be accessed on any Mac running macOS Catalina or newer. However, no one knows why it’s there, hidden among other files.
Hidden Files and the Bitcoin Whitepaper
macOS contains numerous hidden files, typically only visible when the user performs specific functions or tests. Most of these files aren’t meant for average users to find. However, Baio recently shared his peculiar discovery on his blog, Waxy, explaining that the Bitcoin whitepaper is accessible on Macs running recent versions of macOS using a simple Terminal command or Finder navigation.
Accessing the Whitepaper through Terminal and Finder on MacOS
To access the whitepaper via Terminal, enter the following command on any Mac running macOS Catalina or later:
On a Mac, open a Terminal and type the following command:
open /System/Library/Image\ Capture/Devices/VirtualScanner.app/Contents/Resources/simpledoc.pdf
The whitepaper should open in Preview. It’s confirmed to work on macOS Catalina and newer, but older operating systems may also contain the file.
To find the whitepaper using Finder, navigate to Macintosh HD -> System -> Library -> Image Capture -> Devices. Control-click on VirtualScanner.app, select Show Package Contents, and open Contents -> Resources folder -> simpledoc.pdf.
The Enigmatic Virtual Scanner II
Baio found that the Bitcoin whitepaper is used as a sample document for a hidden device called “Virtual Scanner II.” This device isn’t installed by default for some users or is concealed altogether.
Further research revealed that Baio wasn’t the first to discover the hidden scanner or Bitcoin document. A 2021 Apple Community post inquired about it, mentioning an odd photo taken on Treasure Island found within the Virtual Scanner II app.
An Unsolved Mystery
The presence of the Bitcoin whitepaper and Virtual Scanner II app in macOS remains unexplained. No one from Apple or the tech community has provided any clarity on why these files exist or the purpose of Virtual Scanner II.
In conclusion, the mysterious discovery of the Bitcoin whitepaper hidden in macOS has piqued the interest of the tech community. As the enigma surrounding Virtual Scanner II and the concealed whitepaper continues, it’ll be fascinating to see if any further information comes to light.
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