History of Puzzles

by Fran Black

Cardboard puzzles were first introduced in the late 1800's, and were primarily used for children's puzzles. The idea caught on and, until about 1820, jigsaw puzzles remained educational tools. Decades later the popularity of puzzles soared and in the early 1900's, both wooden and cardboard jigsaw puzzles were available. Pastime puzzles were so successful that Parker Brothers stopped making games and devoted its entire factory to puzzle production in 1909.

The popularity of jigsaw puzzles has waxed and waned since the Depression. One strategy was to make cardboard puzzles more intricate and difficult, thus appealing as much to adults as to children. Experimentation with pop-up figure pieces led to three-dimensional puzzles such as a freestanding carousel. Other companies used puzzles for promotional and for advertising purposes.

While some puzzle makers were cutting costs others were steadily improved their puzzles. Puzzles were marketed to affluent movie stars, industrialists and even royalty. Famous and not so famous themes, in addition to new and familiar art has been represented in jigsaw puzzles over the years.

Children's puzzles have moved from lessons to entertainment, showing diverse subjects like animals, nursery rhymes, and modern tales of superheroes and Disney. The last decade has brought many design innovations as new craftspeople have turned to jigsaw puzzles. Puzzle aficionados of today can choose from a number of different styles of wood puzzles or jigsaw puzzles to suit their passions for perplexity.

Wooden puzzles and jigsaw puzzles are as popular as ever, they will last a lifetime and can become family heirlooms.

About the Author:

Francesca Black works in marketing at the Puzzle Place http://www.puzzle-place.net and Chess Strategies http://www.chess-strategies.net leading puzzle and strategy portals.