Are people still facinated with jigsaw puzzles? You betcha! There are even organizations dedicate to the avid jigsaw puzzle fan. There are people that search the world for the oldest, most unusual, or devote their collections to specific catagories.
We've been enjoying jigsaw puzzles since 1760. Well, maybe saying that we've been enjoying them is stretching it a bit since the first puzzles were designed to teach British children their geography. In fact puzzles are still a good educational tool for children today.
The first puzzles were made of maps mounted on a sheet of hardwood until plywood came to be used. On some of the older puzzles that had illustrations glued or painted on the front of the wood, the pencil tracings can still be found. I'd love to see some of these! In the late 1800's cardboard was introduced, and today we have both cardboard and wood puzzles.
The jigsaw puzzle became extremely popular during the depression because for a little bit of money, a family could be entertained for several hours, then dismantle the puzzle and start all over again.
Here are a few examples I've found of jigsaw puzzles, some old, some new, some for children, and some for adults. You can find maps of states and countries, animals, inventions, fine art, movies, famous people, and about anything else you can imagine. My family enjoys doing puzzles and my father has just introduced my little granddaughter to jigsaw puzzles and she is so fascinated that we bought her several for Christmas. So another generation joins the fan club!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65605594/vintage-1942-cardeno-poker-keno-jigsaw
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66073386/vintage-captain-kangaroo-puzzle-1973
Here is a link for American Jigsaw Puzzle Society. Tons of information.
http://www.jigsaw-puzzle.org/jigsaw-puzzle-history.html
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