Puzzle Rubiks
Origins of Popular Puzzle Games
Puzzle games are widely enjoyed by many for two main reasons. They are engaging, making for ideal pastimes. At the same time, they call for logical thinking and stimulate the mind. Kids and adults alike can appreciate puzzle games – it’s no wonder that several have become classics throughout the years. The following is a look at these popular puzzle games and where they came from.
Jigsaw puzzles. The inventor of the jigsaw puzzle was Englishman John Spilsbury, an engraver and mapmaker. He created the first jigsaw puzzle in 1767, when he attached a map of the world to a piece of wood and cut out each country. Teachers used Spilsbury’s puzzles to teach geography – students would learn by putting the world maps back together. The name “jigsaw puzzle” was not given until 1880, although puzzles were cut by a fretsaw and not a jigsaw.
Rubik’s Cube. This mechanical puzzle was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik. Originally called the Magic Cube, the first test batches of the product were produced in late 1977 and released to Budapest toy shops. In early 1980, the puzzle made its international debut at toy fairs. The Ideal Toy Company renamed it “Rubik’s Cube” in 1980. The Rubik’s Cube is said to be the world’s best-selling toy.
Crossword puzzles. The first crossword puzzle was a “word-cross” puzzle published in the New York World on December 21, 1913, by Liverpool journalist Arthur Wynne. The name of the puzzle was later changed to “crossword”, and it became a regular weekly feature in the New York World. The first book of crossword puzzles appeared in 1924, which became an instant hit. Crossword puzzles were the craze of 1924.
Sudoku. In the 18th century, Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler developed the concept of Latin squares, where numbers in a grid appear exactly once in each row and exactly once in each column. In the late 1970s, Dell Magazines in the US began publishing Sudoku puzzles using Euler’s concept with a 9 by 9 square grid. The puzzle was called Number Place then, and it was developed by Howard Garnes. In the mid-1980s, Japanese puzzle company Nikoli, Inc. published a version of the puzzle, which became very popular in Japan. It was also Nikoli that gave Sudoku its current name. British and US newspapers began publishing their own Sudoku puzzles in 2005.
About the Author
Riz Davis, 26, is the Internet Marketing Associate of Gadget Epoint LTD. An internet savvy and geek by heart, she enjoys browsing the net for unusual gadgets and novelty items.
9×9x9 Rubik’s Cube Puzzle (hoax)
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Rubik’s Cruet – Salt and Pepper Mill Don’t worry, you don’t need to solve the Rubik’s Cube to get a little salt and pepper! A pop culture phenomenon turned kitchen gadget, these Rubik’s Cube salt and pepper mills only need a little twist at the top to get some S & P. Made in China…. |
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Erno Rubik with His Invention the Rubik Cube Puzzle Premium Photographic Poster Print Erno Rubik with His Invention the Rubik Cube Puzzle is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!… |
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Erno Rubik with His Invention the Rubik Cube Puzzle Artists Premium Photographic Poster Print by Ted Thai, 18×24 $99.99 Erno Rubik with His Invention the Rubik Cube Puzzle is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!… |
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3-D New York City Skyline Souvenir Heavy Duty Mousepad & Folding Puzzle Cube Computer Desk Set $14.88 Unique Three Dimensional Imaging Photographic Process – Extra Thick Rubberized Pad – Durable Padded Mousepad Measures 7 7/8 Inches x 7 1/8 Inches… |
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Rubik’s Cube $6.70 The date is 1974. The place is Budapest, Hungary. Erno Rubik, an admirer of geometry and 3-D forms creates the world’s most perfect — and addictive — puzzle. More than three decades later the Rubik’s cube is still one of the best selling brainteasers. Whether it was full size or the smaller keychain version almost every child had this puzzle by in 1980 when it found worldwide success. Elementary… |
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Rubik’s Cube 4×4 $13.49 Rubik’s 4X4 will drive you crazy. You may think you will be able to solve this puzzle quickly, but then you make a turn on the cube and it changes all over again. The constant changing Rubik’s 4X4 will keep you entertained for hours…. |
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Rubik’s Professor Cube 5×5 $23.95 Everybody loves the standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, but see what kind of brain-teasing fun you can have with this oversized 5×5 cube. This is a must-have for the true Rubik’s aficionado. Includes one 5×5 cube…. |
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Rubik’s World $10.01 Based on the classic “Rubik’s Cube” puzzle of the 80’s, this other worldly game will look like and play like no other game out there. Rubik’s World is a collection of extremely addictive, easy to pick up puzzle games that increase in difficulty as the player delves deeper in this brave new world. But, these games are not mere mini-games, but serious puzzlers and brain teasers, offering the player … |
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Rubik’s World $14.00 Based on the classic “Rubik’s Cube” puzzle of the 80’s, this other worldly game will look like and play like no other game out there. Rubik’s World is a collection of extremely addictive, easy to pick up puzzle games that increase in difficulty as the player delves deeper in this brave new world. But, these games are not mere mini-games, but serious puzzlers and brain teasers, offering the player … |
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Rubik’s Games (Jewel Case) $2.38 This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ slightly from the stock photo above. Please click on our logo above to see over 15,000 titles in stock…. |
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Eforcity Magic Puzzle Rubik’s Cube, 2.1 $4.99 3 X 3 six color magic puzzle cubeSimilar to a rubik’s cubeSolve puzzles anytime anywhere |
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Wii – Rubik`s World $19.49 Welcome to Rubik`s World-an abstract environment populated by cubie which make up the game`s DNA. Rubik`s world takes the shape, functionality and concept behind the famous Rubik`s Cube but twists and turns the rules to transform it into a unique game … |
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NinDS – Rubik`s World $28.94 Welcome to Rubik`s World- An abstract environment populated by “cubie” which make up the game’s DNA. Rubik’s world takes the shape, functionality and concept behind the famous Rubik`s Cube but twists and turns the rules to transform it into… |
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Rubik`s Cube Book $9.45 |