The very first Jigsaw puzzle was believed to be made in the 1760’s by a London engraver and mapmaker, John Spilsbury, when he pasted a map on to hard wood and cut around the borders of the countries. This developed over time as an educational aid to teach geography to British children.

Jigsaw puzzles have undergone a huge transformation over the years. No longer used as just geography lessons, but as entertainment, with diverse subjects from letters, numbers and Nursery rhymes to favourite TV programmes, film heroes and pastoral scenes.

Cardboard puzzles first came into existence in the late 1800’s, but were primarily still children’s puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles for adults emerged around 1900, and quickly became very popular in the United States. Jigsaw puzzles at this time were quite a challenge, with the pieces being cut along the colour lines, usually not showing more than one colour per piece. Also there would be no guide picture on the box, so with the puzzle titles being purposely ambiguous, the subject of the puzzle could remain a mystery until almost complete!

The height of the adult Jigsaw craze was in the 1920’s and 30’s during the Depression. One might think that this was an odd time for puzzles to take on such popularity, but in reality one puzzle, bought for a relatively small cost could provide a lot of entertainment for the whole family, and it could then be swapped with family members or friends for another jigsaw.

The popularity of the jigsaw puzzle has fluctuated greatly over the years, but they still remain a firm favourite with parents as an educational aid, as well as a de-stress tool for adults! The only jigsaw we stock in our on-line shop is the 3D Globe Jigsaw.

Links To Jigsaw Websites
www.alljigsawpuzzles.co.uk Jigsaw puzzle suppliers
www.puzzles.ukfun.com Free puzzles to download
www.jigsawpuzzlesdirect.co.uk Jigsaw puzzle suppliers
www.britishjigsawpuzzlelibrary.co.uk The opportunity to borrow jigsaw puzzles.
www.wooden-jigsaws.com World wide suppliers of wooden jigsaws