Archive for the ‘Puzzles’ Category
History of Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaws were first introduced to the world around 1760. They are accredited to , who worked as an engraver and mapmaker in London. His first puzzle was said to be a painting done on a rectangular piece of wood. The wood was then cut into intricate and interlocking pieces with a jigsaw, creating a basic wood puzzle. An extremely maneuverable and fine detail saw, the jigsaw obviously offered the puzzle their name.
Since their inception, jigsaw puzzles have since been moved from wood to cardboard. Cardboard is obviously an easier and cheaper option for these mass produced puzzles. The assortment of pictures and images available with puzzles is practically limitless. There are, however, common picture themes, and that includes nature scenes, repetitive designs, or skylines. Jigsaw enthusiasts can also pick up a variety of accessories such as tables and rollup mats in order to transport a half-finished puzzle.
Putting the Pieces in Place
I still remember the exact moment we realized it was a sailboat. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself here; let me try to explain. I was about 6 or 7 years old when my older sister found an unmarked box on a high shelf of our lakeside cottage. It was rainy day, so we explored the terrain indoors for a while before stumbling upon the box. Inside, it held what seemed like hundreds of pieces to a handcrafted wooden puzzle.
We had never been too interested in puzzles before, but lacking anything better to do we cleared the table and got ready to put it together. It was slow going at first, but our logical instincts took over and patterns began to develop. Clearly all these blue pieces represented either water or sky. Then a string of foamy, white pieces revealed choppy waves. At last, we began to see the outlines of a sailboat and the entire puzzle came into focus. So many years later, this memory remains fresh in my mind.
Gifts for the Puzzle Master
Most people have at least one close friend or family member who could best be described as a puzzle fanatic. These are hyper-logical folks who pay close attention to detail, and they never start a task without finishing it. For them, each new wood jigsaw puzzle presents a unique challenge to be conquered. Some of these people have even been known to complete puzzles upside down, before flipping them over to reveal the image.
Don’t make the mistake of giving these people a simple puzzle as a gift. They might finish off a 200-piece puzzle in one sitting just to show off. Try upping the ante by selecting one of the more difficult, time consuming 1500 piece puzzles. That way, you’ll help to encourage their voracious puzzle habit and still manage to provide the challenge they crave.
The Lost Art of the Jigsaw
Back in the 1950s, wood jigsaw puzzles were some of the most common toys for children; an educational toy that stimulated the brain and also created a cool picture! However, as educational toys have advanced and more specifically, educational software for computers, these traditional toys have taken a back seat. Despite their somewhat archaic status, jigsaw puzzles teach the same problem solving techniques that they did in the past, and can provide hours of fun. It wasn’t uncommon even in the 1980s for people to frame their completed jigsaw puzzle and display it as wall art, but this practice has mostly diminished in the 21st century.
Despite advancements in technology, jigsaw puzzles too have evolved over time. There are now three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles and jigsaw puzzles that are designed to form mazes. There’s a lot of different kinds of jigsaws, so when a child is old enough, whether it be your own, a grandchild, or a niece or nephew, be sure provide them with one of these classic toys.
Let Your Child Start Puzzles Early
Are you a puzzle aficionado? Do you want your child to start early with puzzles? Puzzles are fun and exciting. The excitement of finding the right piece and the anticipation of seeing the full picture makes puzzles very addictive. Plus it also teaches your child patience and tenacity.
There are many kinds of puzzles, but the one that are most popular with the younger kids is the wood jigsaw puzzle. They are oftentimes painted in bright colors or depict fun, happy scenes. They’re also very easy to put together. Parents and children will have tons of fun putting together these puzzles.
Nostalgic Wood Puzzle Memories
When I was little, I was what most people would refer to as a “nerd”. Although I enjoyed traditional childhood entertainment, like action figures and cartoons, my favorite activities included reading, doing puzzles and solving math equations. This may seem a little unnatural for a young boy, but my parents encouraged these habits by purchasing me educational toys and games.
One of the first toys that they bought me was a wood puzzle that featured various dog breeds. I loved the puzzle because one of the dogs looked just like my canine, Barney. Although the puzzle was relatively easy, I never got tired of solving it. Last week I was cleaning out my closet and found the old toy, still complete with all of the pieces.
Puzzle People
It seems that there’s one in every family: the persistent, logical type who won’t take a break from a given task without doing the job right. These perfectionists pay close attention to detail and never settle for second best. In short, they are the people who love a good jigsaw puzzle. No challenge is too great for these obsessive puzzlers, so the more pieces the merrier.
Unfortunately, cardboard puzzles make for a lightweight gift in more ways than one. The pieces are flimsy, and they feel cheap in general. Not so with a solid, durable handcrafted wooden puzzle. The appeal of these wooden jigsaw puzzles is tangible – their hefty weight and impressive craftsmanship set them apart from pretenders. Perhaps best of all, they are capable of occupying a logical mind for hours at a time.
Piecing Together a Great Summer Day
For many American children, summer means a vacation from school. It means plenty of free time to ride bikes, swim in a nearby lake or stream, and reconnect with seasonal friends who visit on holiday. It’s not unusual for parents to struggle to keep track of their small kids – the outdoors beckons, and their energetic feet answer the call.
But not every summer day is suitable for outdoor play. A lightning storm can put a cramp in a kid’s style, but it’s only temporary; sometimes being confined to the house reminds them of other pastimes. For example, wood jigsaw puzzles offer hours of fun for a pair of friends or the whole family to enjoy together. The pieces are solid and substantial enough that they won’t be bent like cheap cardboard puzzles. Once in a while, a day indoors is just as rewarding as an outdoor adventure.
The Family Carpentry Hobby
When I was just a young boy, my grandfather made me a wood puzzle with some leftover plywood from his bench. The puzzle was only about 25 pieces, but for a child the age of 4, it was a bit of a challenge. When I was older, grandpa took on the arduous task of making me a 100 piece wood puzzle. I knew it was difficult, and didn’t learn about it until he gave me the puzzle for my 9th birthday. Wood cuts that small and precise are difficult to make, grandma told me, so I appreciated even more. I found growing that I had a fascination for carpentry, and though I never pursued a job as a carpenter, it became one of my favorite pastimes when grandpa passed.
For my daughter’s third birthday, I gave her one of the wood puzzles I had made, and told her about how grandpa had done the same for me a long time ago. Though I hope my daughter doesn’t take up the field of carpentry, there’s definitely an appreciation to be gained from handmade wood toys.