Jigsaw puzzle
Rompecabezas (puzle de piezas)
- Date
- c. 1760 · confidence medium
- Place
- London, England, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- John Spilsbury
- Field
- Tools
What it is
Spilsbury, a London cartographer, mounted maps on wood and cut them along country borders so children could learn geography by reassembling them. The 'dissected map' gave rise to the modern jigsaw puzzle.
The name 'jigsaw' became popular later, in the late 19th century, when that tool was used to cut the pieces.
What it led to
- Educational geography toys in children's teaching
- Jigsaw puzzles as a mass domestic pastime
- Diversification into picture puzzles beyond maps