History of Jigsaw Puzzles

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The history of jigsaws is rich in great people, manufacturers and changing menufacturing techniques and styles. All fascinating!

Early History

Early indications in the history of jigsaw puzzles are of puzzles from European Map Makers in the 1700s who dissected maps. These would have been rudimentary Jigsaw Puzzles as we know it today. Many believe John Spilsbury, a London map maker, was the person who created the first puzzle from a map of Europe cut along country boundary lines.

In the 1880s the jigsaw puzzles moved forward with the treadle saw allowed the dissection to be known as jigsaw puzzles. Towards the end of the century plywood came to be used. With illustrations glued or painted on the front of the wood, pencil tracings of where to cut were made on the back. These pencil tracings can still be found on some of these older puzzles.

Cardboard puzzles were first introduced in the late 1800s.

History Of Jigsaw Puzzles 1900s

The history of jigsaw puzzles moves on in the 1900s to wooden jigsaw puzzles with challenging cuts. These were expensive and did not interlock.Early on puzzles moved to interlocking ones which were clearly much less likely to be disturbed.The puzzles were difficult as they were cut along the colour lines.

In the 20th century the puzzles became die cut. This is basically a lattice of thin metal strips arrange in the puzzle cut. The cardboard and the die were passed through a press resulting in a jigsaw puzzle. Of course the cardboard had a picture already glued to it. This changed the history of jigsaw puzzles as they could now be mass produced.
The history of jigsaw puzzles shows that by the 1930s jigsaw puzzles were highly popular. Marketers of great puzzles made attractive designs which were very popular.

Puzzles were available to rent, making dear wooden puzzles affordable. With the introduction of cardboard puzzles they became cheaper and increasingly in demand. Some contained advertising. However there was still a demand for customised wooden puzzles, many without a picture of the puzzle on the box.

For many people during the depression this became a cheap and highly enjoyable way to entertain the family. Puzzle sales were at an all time high. Indeed Newsstands sold very cheap daily puzzles alongside newspapers and magazines.

After World War 2 puzzles waxed and waned in popularity, however rising wages made wooden puzzles too expensive. Happily along came Stave Puzzles who enthusiastically commissioned original artwork, produced devlish puzzles and re-established the luxury jigsaw market. This tempted others into the market.

History Of Jigsaw Puzzles - Manufacturers

In the history of jigsaws there have been many brilliant manufacturers. Great names such as Par, Parker Bros, Marlboro, Mayfair, J K Strauss, Picture Perfect, Shaffield, Waddington, Viking, Victory, Chad Valley, Tucks Zag Zaw, Huvanco.

Now the list of impressive manufacturers is long and illustrious. Indeed Stave puzzles have been instrumental in resurrecting the popularity of fabulous wooden puzzles. They have specially designed pictures which are perfect for challenging puzzles. They also add many tricks of their own as do the other great wooden manufacturers.Also now have highly creative manufacturers such as Wrebbit and Falcon's Wasgij. They will go down in the history of jigsaw puzzles as offering something special.

History Of Jigsaw Puzzles - Artists

Great artists such as Heronim, Norman Rockwell,Jane Wooster Scott, Frank Hamilton, and Charles Wysocki have contributed great work to the history of jigsaw puzzles. Again there is now an long and highly talented list of artists working with puzzle companies. Great names like Mike Jupp, Thomas Kinkade, and Susan Brabeau to name a few.

History Of Jigsaw Puzzles - Modern Puzzles

Now puzzles have moved on to enormously increase the choice and appeal. There are amongst many others, online puzzles, downloadable puzzles, 3d puzzles, puzzle mosaics and a plethora of styles, degrees of difficulty, numbers of pieces and puzzle images.

In 2007 Educa published the new world's biggest puzzle at 24,000 pieces. A few fantastic months work I think!

Interestingly kids history of jigsaw puzzles has evolved from early maps, through animal shaped puzzles to the enormous variety of Disney and many other pictured themes of today.

Why Are Jigsaws So Popular?

Why would Jigsaw Puzzles be so popular and addictive? People have different requirements which can be brilliantly satisfied by doing Jigsaw Puzzles. There is:

• relax and reduce stress
• the challenge of the puzzle itself,
• a great way of passing the time,
• a great travel companion,
• great fun,
• competition,
• keeping your mind sharp,
• an enjoyable way to spend time with friends,
• entertain the kids,
• love of puzzles and
• ultimately the thrill of successful completion. We all love to feel successful!

History Of Jigsaw Puzzles - More Information

There is some information on the history of jigsaw puzzles available at most good online encyclopedias.

Also an excellent book by Anne D Williams called The Jigsaw puzzle - Piecing Together a History is very well worth reading.

The book gives you just about everything you would want to know including lots of ways of making your own. Also details on famous puzzlers like Bill Gates, The Queen, Stephen King, Albert Einstein, and Jean Harlow. Interesting facts like the Ellis Island Physicians using jigsaws to assess immigrants mental capacity. Also lots of facts on sellers, sites, manufacturers, publications, and articles.