The History of Jigsaw Puzzles
John Spilsbury inventor of the jigsaw puzzle in 1767
John Spilsbury, 1767
Introduction of Cardboard – late 1800s wood still dominated for 2 reasons: 1)cardboard considered “cheap” 2)more profit from wood puzzles -wood puzzles $1.00 -cardboard puzzles 25¢
Interlocking Pieces - early 1900s
Pastime Puzzle, Rabbit and Carrot Figurals, early 1900s Figure Pieces - early 1900s
Die-Cut Method, early-mid-1900s
1931: Einson-Freeman gave free puzzles away with toothbrushes “Peter Pan”
Weekly-Puzzle Series “Picture Puzzle Weekly” “B-Witching Weekly” “Jiggers Weekly” “Movie Cut-Ups”
New Depression-Era Puzzle Companies Chad Valley Victory Viking Par
VICTORY JIGSAW - UNION CASTLE LINER - WINCHESTER CASTLE mid-1930s
Rockbound, by Par Puzzles
Post World War II Cardboard Puzzles
Disappearance of Wood-Puzzle Companies After World War II 1958 Pastime Puzzles 1950s-1960s Victory 1974 Par Puzzles
Wood Puzzles Today