Most people agree that the first jigsaw puzzle was made by John Spilsbury, a teacher in England, in 1767. He cut a map of the world into several pieces for his students to assemble to help them learn geography. The puzzles were known as "dissected maps." Until about 1820, the jigsaw puzzle remained mainly an educational tool.
Then people began making puzzles from pictures glued on wood. In 1880, the treadle saw was introduced, which made it easier to cut the puzzles into more intricate pieces. They then became known as jigsaw puzzles, although they were cut by a fretsaw, rather than a jigsaw.
Around 1900, puzzles for adults were introduced and became very popular. These early puzzles were usually cut on color lines, making them more difficult to put together.
The jigsaw puzzle's popularity kept increasing through the 20's and 30's. During the Great Depression, it was a lot cheaper to buy a jigsaw puzzle than to go out to dinner and provided just as much entertainment. It was something the whole family could enjoy, too. In 1933, sales reached 10 million per week in the United States.
About this time, die-cut carboard puzzles became available. Manufacturers began offering advertising puzzles featuring their products. In 1932, someone came up with the idea of a weekly jigsaw puzzle. Many companies put them out and they would appear on the newsstands on Wednesday. People would rush to buy them so they could be the first in their circle to solve the week's puzzle.
After World War II, the wooden jigsaw puzzle's popularity declined, since the cardboard ones were much less expensive. Jigsaw puzzles are still popular today, with both children and adults. And children are still learning the geography of the United States by doing puzzles.
Pat McCarthy is an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature and the author of over a dozen books for children. Learn more about her books at her blog, http://www.PatMcCarthysAuthorBlog.blogspot.com If you have a question about writing for children, e-mail Pat at patmcbirder@woh.rr.com . More resources for children's writers will soon be up on the blog.
Source: www.articletrader.com
