Early History of Jigsaw Puzzles
Europe Divided Into Its Kingdoms, John Spilsbury, 1766.
These early puzzles were popular with affluent households, including the British Royal family.
TheSecond Industrial Revolutionof the 19th and 20th centuries greatly improved the puzzle-making process.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Soloviov Vadym/Shutterstock
Advancements inlithographic printing techniquesenabled puzzle makers to transfer higher quality prints onto wooden surfaces.
This allowed for lighter and more affordable material that was also easier to cut.
Additionally, the invention of foot-poweredtreadle sawsallowed manufacturers to create more intricateinterlocking piecesat a fast pace.
“Europe Divided Into Its Kingdoms,” John Spilsbury, 1766. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Instead of producing puzzles out of wood, American companies began mass-producing puzzles out of cardboard using a newdie-cuttingtechnique.
This drastically reduced the cost of puzzles.
Other companies explored more creative designs of fairytales, castles, ships, and nature.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Everett Collection/Shutterstock
How They’re Made Today
Now, the production of jigsaw puzzles iscompletely modernizedand highly variable.
Other companies employ more advanced technology such as lasers to create highly unique pieces.
Due to this, unique and unconventional puzzles are emerging which explore the specific parameters of the centuries-old activity.
Jigsaw Puzzle Made From Paperboard (Photo: Jared Tarbell viaWikimedia Commons[CC BY 2.0])
The completed piece was now almost like a beautiful trophy.
Called The Accident, this transparent acrylic puzzle is modeled after a shattered pane of glass.
These maze-like jigsaws are created by acomputer simulationthat creates natural simulations in the shape, pieces, and image.
“The Accident”Jigsaw Puzzle
Additionally, the record forworld’s largest puzzleappears to break at rapid succession.
Watch the video below to see the completion of the world’s largest single image jigsaw puzzlefeaturing42,000 pieces.
“Geode” Jigsaw Puzzle
