Puzzle Used

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Puzzle Used

Jigsaw Puzzle History - an International Pastime

The jigsaw puzzle is one of the oldest forms of entertainment and dates back to the late 1700s. The jigsaw has passed through many stages of development to become today's modern pastime. Jigsaw puzzles have a range of uses, from entertainment to education to physical and emotional therapy.

A Beginning as an Educational Tool

The forerunner of the modern jigsaw puzzle was invented in 1767 by John Spilsbury as a teaching device to help children to learn the geography of England and Wales. It was a wooden map with no interlocking pieces. In fact, interlocking pieces weren't introduced to jigsaws until much later, with the invention of saws that could cut with the accuracy needed to produce the interlock. From this inauspicious beginning through the 1800s, jigsaw puzzles caught on and grew as a popular pastime.

Jigsaws: The New Favorite Parlor Game

By the early 1900s the jigsaw puzzle became all the rage with adults in both the US and the UK. Because of the cost of producing these wooden puzzles, they were primarily the domain of the wealthy, and jigsaw puzzles began to rival bridge and lawn bowling as parlor games. As puzzling grew, major game manufacturers, including Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley began to produce jigsaw puzzles.

Introduction of Shaped and Interlocking Pieces

The popularity of jigsaws in the first decade of the 1900s lead Parker Brothers to begin to develop puzzles with interlocking and shaped pieces. Also around this same time cardboard jigsaws began to be produced via die-cutting. Most manufacturers, however, stuck with making wooden puzzles, as the general belief was that there was no market for cheap, cardboard puzzles.

Depression-Era Growth of Jigsaws

With the advent of the Great Depression, demand for inexpensive cardboard, die-cut puzzles exploded. Families discovered that jigsawing was not only entertaining, but a great diversion from the stresses of life. Also, once complete, a jigsaw puzzle could be traded with a friend, continuing the trend of inexpensive entertainment.

A Boost from Advertising

At this time, companies also started using puzzles for promotional giveaways with many stores offering a puzzle with a purchase. At the height of the depression, in the early 1930s, the "Jig of the Week" was introduced and sold at newsstands. Several series became available and being the first to assemble that week's puzzle resulted in bragging rights for the solver. Economic woes and the rise in popularity of inexpensive puzzles took its toll on the wooden puzzle makers, although some retained a loyal following.

Introduction of the Personalized Jigsaw

During the rise of cardboard puzzles a new manufacturer, Par Puzzles, came into popularity. These hand-cut, finely crafted puzzles were produced by brothers who catered to the affluent, including movie stars and royalty. Par's claim to fame was personalized puzzles, often cut with their owner's names as pieces.

Today's Jigsaw Puzzles

Since the height of popularity during the depression, fascination with the jigsaw puzzle has ebbed and flowed. After World War II rising wages resulted in higher cost and lower sales of wooden jigsaw puzzles. At this same time, improvements in printing and reproduction of fine art on jigsaws resulted in increased sales of cardboard puzzled. Today, most puzzles are cardboard, but there are a handful of manufacturers still making high-quality, wooden jigsaw puzzles. A variety of puzzles are now available, from irregularly shaped puzzles, to doubled-sided jigsaws to 3D jigsaws. They continue to fascinate us and provide a way to bring people together with the common goal of being the one who puts in that last piece.


USED 3D Crystal Puzzle Jigsaw Decoration Gadget toy USED 3D Crystal Puzzle Jigsaw Decoration Gadget toy US $.99 8h 29m
USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Yasmin USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Yasmin US $5.00 12h 52m
USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Cloe USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Cloe US $5.00 12h 52m
USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Jade USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Jade US $5.00 12h 52m
USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Sasha USED Batz Passion 4 Fashion Puzzle Sasha US $5.00 12h 52m
Used Jigsaw Puzzle Rocky Mtn Wild Cats Cougar 550 pcs Used Jigsaw Puzzle Rocky Mtn Wild Cats Cougar 550 pcs US $1.99 13h 32m
GREECE X2210 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 4 10 USED GREECE X2210 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 4 10 USED US $.99 14h 51m
Brain Age 2 Nintendo DS Puzzle Game Used Brain Age 2 Nintendo DS Puzzle Game Used US $10.00 14h 56m
THOMAS FRIENDS 2 IN A BOX JIGSAW PUZZLES USED THOMAS FRIENDS 2 IN A BOX JIGSAW PUZZLES USED US $.99 15h 13m
GREECE X2211 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 3 10 USED GREECE X2211 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 3 10 USED US $.99 17h 13m
GREECE X2212 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 5 10 USED GREECE X2212 01 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 5 10 USED US $.99 17h 16m
LEMMINGS◆SONY PSP◆PLAYSTATION PORTABLE◆USED PUZZLE GAME LEMMINGS◆SONY PSP◆PLAYSTATION PORTABLE◆USED PUZZLE GAME US $39.50 22d 4h 46m
2 JIGSAW PUZZLES 1 NEW 750 PIECES 1 USED 500 PIECES 2 JIGSAW PUZZLES 1 NEW 750 PIECES 1 USED 500 PIECES US $.99 19h 46m
1000 PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE CABLE CARS bY HERONIM USED 1000 PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE CABLE CARS bY HERONIM USED US $4.00 21h
1000 PC PUZZLE HARVEST AT THE MISSION by HERONIM USED 1000 PC PUZZLE HARVEST AT THE MISSION by HERONIM USED US $4.00 21h
1000 PC PUZZLE SOUTHERN MANSION by HERONIM USED 1000 PC PUZZLE SOUTHERN MANSION by HERONIM USED US $4.00 21h 1m
1000 PC PUZZLE CARVER COGGINS by WYSOCKI USED 1000 PC PUZZLE CARVER COGGINS by WYSOCKI USED US $4.00 21h 1m
LAS VEGAS NEVADA PANORAMIC PUZZLE 750 PIECE USED LAS VEGAS NEVADA PANORAMIC PUZZLE 750 PIECE USED US $5.99 23h 29m
★☆★DS Puzzle Series 5 SLITHERLINK Japan used★☆★ ★☆★DS Puzzle Series 5 SLITHERLINK Japan used★☆★ US $27.60 25d 20h 42m
GREECE X2189 10 09 THEME PUZZLE FISH 3 4 USED GREECE X2189 10 09 THEME PUZZLE FISH 3 4 USED US $.99 1d 8h 16m
GREECE X2191 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 1 4 USED GREECE X2191 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 1 4 USED US $.99 1d 8h 18m
GREECE X2192 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 2 4 USED GREECE X2192 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 2 4 USED US $.99 1d 8h 20m
GREECE X2193 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 3 4 USED GREECE X2193 10 09 THEME PUZZLE TURTLE 3 4 USED US $.99 1d 8h 22m
GREECE X2209 1 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 1 10 USED GREECE X2209 1 10 THEME PUZZLE LIONFISH 1 10 USED US $.99 1d 8h 29m
GREECE X2190 10 09 THEME PUZZLE FISH 4 4 USED GREECE X2190 10 09 THEME PUZZLE FISH 4 4 USED US $.99 1d 8h 52m
PUZZLE 100pcs HANNA MONTANA Disney Hasbro MB USED GC PUZZLE 100pcs HANNA MONTANA Disney Hasbro MB USED GC US $.99 1d 12h 43m
Melissa and Doug Farm Friends Fuzzy Puzzle Used Melissa and Doug Farm Friends Fuzzy Puzzle Used US $2.00 1d 16h 47m
PEG PUZZLES BLOCKS 7 DIFFERENT PLAYSETS USED PEG PUZZLES BLOCKS 7 DIFFERENT PLAYSETS USED US $19.99 1d 17h 31m
The Beauty and the Beast 1500 Piece Jumbo Puzzle Used The Beauty and the Beast 1500 Piece Jumbo Puzzle Used US $3.49 1d 18h 16m
Charles Wysocki Ashley and Grimes Bear Puzzle Used Charles Wysocki Ashley and Grimes Bear Puzzle Used US $2.99 1d 18h 20m
Jigsaw Puzzle Wysocki Gulls Nest 1000pc used Jigsaw Puzzle Wysocki Gulls Nest 1000pc used US $2.99 1d 19h 31m
Jigsaw Puzzle Wysocki Burma Road 1000pc used Jigsaw Puzzle Wysocki Burma Road 1000pc used US $2.99 1d 19h 39m
3 100 PIECE HARRY POTTER 3 D PUZZLE used 3 100 PIECE HARRY POTTER 3 D PUZZLE used US $19.99 1d 19h 41m
Jigsaw Studio Puzzle Cats in the Shed 1000pc used Jigsaw Studio Puzzle Cats in the Shed 1000pc used US $6.76 1d 20h 35m
Jigsaw Studio Puzzle The Kiss 1000pc used Jigsaw Studio Puzzle The Kiss 1000pc used US $2.99 1d 20h 40m
1 500 PIECE AND 2 750 PIECE USED PUZZLES 1 500 PIECE AND 2 750 PIECE USED PUZZLES US $1.99 1d 21h 29m
Puzzle Island Childs Play Library Paul Adshead USED Puzzle Island Childs Play Library Paul Adshead USED US $5.15 15d 23h 16m
Red Beards Walk the Plank Wooden Puzzle Gently used Red Beards Walk the Plank Wooden Puzzle Gently used US $6.99 1d 23h 7m
Diamond Jubilee Puzzle by Springbok used Diamond Jubilee Puzzle by Springbok used US $2.99 15h 30m
PS1 Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Used PSX Game PS1 Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Used PSX Game US $31.95 29d 20h 31m
Wii Game GRAVITY puzzles Used Excellent Condition EA Wii Game GRAVITY puzzles Used Excellent Condition EA US $5.95 29d 15h 19m
Tangrams 330 Puzzles Ronald C Read USED Good Conditi Tangrams 330 Puzzles Ronald C Read USED Good Conditi US $5.15 29d 1h 52m
DS Planet Puzzle League Used Nintendo NDS Game DS Planet Puzzle League Used Nintendo NDS Game US $26.95 28d 22h 17m
Used Game Boy Game Tetris Classic Puzzle Game Used Game Boy Game Tetris Classic Puzzle Game US $6.96 28d 21h 2m
Used Game Boy Game Tesserae GREAT Puzzle Brain Game Used Game Boy Game Tesserae GREAT Puzzle Brain Game US $10.96 28d 20h 59m
FISH 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Ravensburger Used complete FISH 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Ravensburger Used complete US $14.95 28d 20h 57m
2 SETS WHATS MY CHANGE PUZZLE CARDS NEW USED 2 SETS WHATS MY CHANGE PUZZLE CARDS NEW USED US $6.99 28d 18h 23m
1941 SAMUEL LOWE FUN BOOK 192 PAGES PUZZLES UN USED 1941 SAMUEL LOWE FUN BOOK 192 PAGES PUZZLES UN USED US $22.99 28d 17h 12m
JOHN DEERE HAYING DAYS 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Used JOHN DEERE HAYING DAYS 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Used US $6.38 28d 24m
WEWAKA BROOKCT ENCORE PUZZLE 504 USED WEWAKA BROOKCT ENCORE PUZZLE 504 USED US $3.38 21d 23h 11m
WALT DISNEY JIGSAW PUZZLE ZORRO THE AVENGER 8609 USED WALT DISNEY JIGSAW PUZZLE ZORRO THE AVENGER 8609 USED US $17.99 27d 20h 32m
CREEKSIDE MILL 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle CREEKSIDE MILL 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle US $3.99 27d 20h 26m
USA MAP 100 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle USA MAP 100 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle US $3.49 27d 20h 26m
HODGSONS MILL MISSOURI 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle HODGSONS MILL MISSOURI 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle US $3.99 27d 20h 26m
ROADSIDE POND MAINE 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle ROADSIDE POND MAINE 500 Piece Used Jigsaw Puzzle US $3.99 27d 20h 26m
Rubiks World Wii Puzzle Brain Learning Game Used Rubiks World Wii Puzzle Brain Learning Game Used US $10.00 2d 15h 21m
PUZZ 3D US Capitol Jigsaw Puzzle 1994 Used PUZZ 3D US Capitol Jigsaw Puzzle 1994 Used US $7.22 27d 18h 54m
The Big Book of Kakuro Puzzles Conceptis Puzzles USED The Big Book of Kakuro Puzzles Conceptis Puzzles USED US $6.02 27d 18h 3m
Lot of 13 Cat Puzzles NIB Used Lot of 13 Cat Puzzles NIB Used US $138.99 27d 14h 44m
Lot of 10 Early Americana Rural America Puzzle New Used Lot of 10 Early Americana Rural America Puzzle New Used US $93.99 27d 10h 25m