There is a new concept in the sale and manufacture of Jigsaw Puzzles. For the first time, you have complete control to choose the image to be used as the basis for the puzzle, its size, and level of difficulty. These puzzles are not pre-built or pre-packed but "Made to Order". Keep in mind that all of this can now be offered to you at a very reasonable price. Here's a great example:
As most of us know, a jigsaw puzzle requires the assembly of numerous small, often oddly shaped, interlocking pieces. Each piece typically has a small part of a picture on it; when completed, a jigsaw puzzle most often displays a complete image. In some cases more advanced types of jig saw puzzles have appeared in the marketplace, such as spherical jigsaws or puzzles showing optical illusions.
Jigsaw Puzzles have been around for 250+ years and are still a popular pastime. Digital Cameras has given almost every one access to high quality images. Many of these people are now looking for new and interesting ways to use their digital photos. The Personalized Photo Jigsaw Puzzle now offered by several ‘puzzle stores’ is without doubt, perfect for filling this void.
The jigsaw puzzle was first created by painting a picture on a flat, rectangular piece of wood, and then cutting that picture into small pieces with a jigsaw, hence the name. A London , England
Typically, images found on jigsaw puzzles include scenes from nature, buildings, or animals of some kind. However, any type of picture can now be used to make a jigsaw puzzle; some companies, as I’ve already said, offers to turn personal photographs into puzzles. Such puzzles, when completed can also be attached to a backing with adhesive to allow the image to be displayed as artwork.
Most modern jigsaw puzzles are made out of cardboard, as they are easier and less expensive to mass produce than the earlier wooden models. An enlarged photograph or some other two-dimensional artwork for example, is glued onto the cardboard before being cut into smaller pieces.
Jigsaw puzzles typically come in 300-piece, 500-piece, 750-piece, and 1,000-piece sizes; take note however, that the largest commercial puzzle has 32,256 pieces and spans 544 cm by 192 cm or (if you’re like me and unfamiliar with the metric system) that’s 75.59 inches by 214.17 inches (about 6.3 feet x 17.8 feet).
There are also three-dimensional (3-D) jigsaw puzzles. Many of these are made of wood or Styrofoam which requires the puzzle to be solved in a certain order; some pieces will not fit into the puzzle if others pieces are already in place.
Here's a popular 3-D Jigsaw Example:
Another type of jigsaw puzzle, which is sometimes considered a type of 3-D puzzle, is a puzzle globe. Like a 2-D puzzle, a globe puzzle is often made of cardboard but typically plastic. The assembled pieces form a single layer. But like a 3-D puzzle, the final form is a three-dimensional shape. Examples would be representations of the earth or the moon. This type puzzle is also often called a “ball puzzle” and is displayed below:
A puzzle globe represention of 'historical Earth’
Constructing jigsaw puzzles may be considered an old pastime but it is undoubtedly a modern hobby with a new twist that is suitable for anyone of any age.
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As an avid jigsaw puzzle fan, this was really interesting to me. I had no idea the concept of jigsaw puzzles dated so far back. Thanks for the new info :)
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