Spidla - jigsaw puzzles and
more (czech lang.)
Puzzle
A puzzle is a problem or enigma that challenges ingenuity. In a basic
puzzle you piece together objects in a logical way in order to come up
with the desired shape, picture or solution. Puzzles are often
contrived as a form of entertainment, but they can also stem from
serious mathematical or logistical problems — in such cases,
their successful resolution can be a significant contribution to
mathematical research.
Solutions to puzzles may require recognizing patterns and creating a
particular order. People with a high inductive reasoning aptitude may
be better at solving these puzzles than others. Puzzles based on the
process of inquiry and discovery to complete may be solved faster by
those with good deduction skills.
History
The first book of crossword puzzles appeared in 1924, 11 years after
the first crossword puzzle was published.
In the early 1900s, magazines and newspapers found that they could
increase their daily subscriptions by publishing puzzle contests.
Contemporary puzzles
A sample of notable puzzle authors includes Sam Loyd, Henry Dudeney,
Boris Kordemsky and, more recently, David J. Bodycombe, Will Shortz and
Martin Gardner.
There are organizations and events catering puzzle enthusiasts such as
the International Puzzle Party, the World Puzzle Championship and the
National Puzzlers' League. There are also Puzzlehunts like Maze of
Games. The Rubik's Cube and other magic polyhedrons are toys based on puzzles
that can be stimulating toys for kids and are a recreational activity
for adults. Puzzles can be used to hide or obscure objects. A good
example is a puzzle box used to hide jewelry.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia