953 nut 57,581 #1 Posted January 29 January 29 is National Puzzle Day, the perfect day to do a little brain exercise. Whether it’s a crossword, jigsaw, or Sudoku, puzzles engage our brain in more ways than one. Scientists have discovered that when we work on a jigsaw puzzle, we utilize both sides of the brain, improving memory, cognitive function and problem solving skills in the process. By utilizing puzzles, people can stimulate the brain improve a number of skills. As early as 2300 BC, long before modern puzzles, labyrinth drawing puzzles were popular in Ancient Egypt. Mapmaker John Spilsbury created the first jigsaw puzzle in 1767. Puzzles become a full-blown craze in the United States soon after. During the Great Depression, puzzles sales soared at 10 million per week. 2 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,970 #2 Posted January 29 This is a new puzzle that look kinda cool from an engineers point of view. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,265 #3 Posted January 29 I lived in a dorm for most of college. During one semester the school decided to switch from keyed locks to combination locks. The installer wasn’t off the floor 5 minutes before I was removing the lock and taking it apart. Pretty quickly figured out how to clear and set a combination, put it back together, and set a new combo. Surprised the heck out of the RA when he came to give us our “assigned” combo and take back our keys and his combo didn’t work. He knew me and realized what I’d done. Gave me a look and then made me promise not to help anyone else change their lock. But heck, there musta been at least 50 engineering students in that dorm so I’m sure others figured it out the same way I did. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 860 #4 Posted January 30 My elderly parents always had a puzzle going on a card table in the den. Dad passed at 87, but Mom kept it going until she was 96 and couldn't walk to the room. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,581 #5 Posted January 30 Each year at our Sunday School class Christmas party a jigsaw puzzle is put out for those who want to work on it. Once it was suggested that we wouldn't eat dinner until the puzzle was finished. The hope was that more people would get involved in the puzzle. After careful consideration that idea was dropped because we would probably never be able to eat. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,581 #6 Posted January 30 4 hours ago, Mickwhitt said: This is a new puzzle that look kinda cool from an engineers point of view. This guy obviously doesn't own a big hammer or a set of Allen Wrenches. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,265 #8 Posted January 30 Haven’t done a jigsaw in some time, but still do a crossword and the Jumble every day. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,560 #9 Posted January 30 It's puzzling enough for me about what Pullstart does to a tractor... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beap52 1,139 #10 Posted January 30 We usually work on jigsaw puzzles when it's cold and miserable outside. Once one is laid out on the card table, I find myself stopping and looking for a piece about every time I walk by. There's just something about them that pulls you in. Below is a "puzzle" I've been working on for the model train. I still have a ways to go and find these about as addictive as jigsaw puzzles. Cardstock paper, tacky glue, scraps of boards, some aluminum, little bottles of paint from hobby store and several hours of labor is all I've got invested. I loosely based this dilapidated house on a picture I found of one. I'll probably tie up three dollars in this one. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
