The evolution of jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles have fascinated people of all ages since the earliest versions graced homes and classrooms in mid-1700. Today, jigsaw puzzles are as popular as ever, with newer versions taking many unique forms.

In fact, puzzles are so popular that there are clubs and organizations devoted to the appreciation of this ancient art form. The American Jigsaw Puzzle Society and the Official UK Jigsaw puzzle club are just some of the organizations that promote puzzle building.

Puzzles are believed to encourage problem-solving abilities in children, teens and adults. Keeping the mind sharp is an important endeavor; and what better way to do so than with an evening spent over a puzzle?

It’s not entirely understood how puzzles can help develop the brain, but there is no argument that building puzzles sharpens mental agility.

Puzzles of the past:

Puzzles were originally used as educational tools, to teach British children geography. The first jigsaw puzzle was made in 1760, by John Spilsbury. A mapmaker by trade, he made the first jigsaw puzzle by attaching one of his maps to wood and dissecting them.

Thus, the first puzzles were called “dissections’. By the late 1800’s, puzzles were more recognizable as the jigsaws that we buy today. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that puzzles became popular all over the world.

Puzzles of today:

In the past, puzzles were made from paintings on wood. Today the reality is far less romantic. Puzzles are mass-produced all over the world, and are now made from a more practical cardboard.

A photographic image is printed and glued onto the cardboard. After this the resulting

The puzzles of today have moved far beyond the simple wooden creations of the past. Today, there is less need for jigsaw puzzles as we remember them…

Who knows, one day you might only be able to find puzzles online! Until then, spoil yourself and your children to a fine collection of puzzles.