Jigsaw Puzzles: Online Versions Achieving Popularity

Jigsaw puzzles have come a long way since 1766 when John Spilsbury, at one time the apprentice to the Royal Geographer in England, started the trend by manufacturing puzzles in the form of dissected maps designed as teaching aids for geography classes.

Now even online puzzles are readily available and gaining a following along with the ever-popular traditional physical puzzles that can be found in many different variations.

Among boxed versions of jigsaw puzzles, there is a growing segment of high-end puzzles to test both patience and persistence. Besides puzzles with large numbers of pieces (up to 24,000 pieces), variations include: spherical, puzzles showing optical illusions, double-sided, three-dimensional, puzzle boxes and puzzle globes.

Edges of puzzles might be square, rectangular, round, or designed so that the shape of the entire puzzle forms a figure.

After completing a 2,000-piece puzzle, one with 1,500 pieces, numerous 1,000-piece and 500-piece ones, my recommendation is to go for the 1,000-piece size which is challenging but not so tedious as to become wearisome for the assembler before its completion.

Online puzzles are currently attracting attention and these have also evolved since they first became available. You can download puzzles from many sources to your browser, where you can work on them and then save them if necessary until they are completed. There are also apps available for your iPad should you want to work on a puzzle when you are away from your computer.

Something else that is new is Audio Puzzle, an innovative puzzle game for the iPhone and iPod touch that reinvents the jigsaw puzzle by using music instead of pictures!

When downloading puzzles, play it safe

There are many offers for free downloads of puzzles available on the internet, so it is wise to have a comfort level about the source before proceeding with downloading to avoid getting unwanted extras in the form of viruses, spyware or other risks.

National Geographic magazine's website is a well-recognized source that provides a wide variety of free games, including online jigsaw puzzles. It allows you to even make custom puzzles by scrolling through thousands of images or creating your own puzzle category.

Although most of the Nat Geo puzzles have 50 pieces, there is a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle of the giant 300-foot redwood. If you play this feature and finish fast enough, you can get your name entered into the leaderboard if you have a National Geographic account and are logged in.

On the National Geographic magazine's website there is a short video about how the redwood image for this puzzle was shot and created. On the video the photographer, Nick Nichols, describes how his team of researchers and technicians made a unique composite image of an entire redwood tree from ninety photographs.

Some benefits from assembling jigsaw puzzles

Benefits vary greatly according to the age of the person assembling the puzzle, but some of them named in an article on SteadyHealth.com include: Helping young children to develop motor skills and learn shapes and colors; improving eye/hand coordination; building self-esteem through the completion of a project; keeping the minds of adults alert and active; promoting manual dexterity, and providing an opportunity for social interaction.

Puzzles may also be very therapeutic. A young man in the United Kingdom has created jigsaw puzzles designed to be of help to persons suffering from dementia.

According to an article appearing on News-Medical.net, the puzzles are made from foamex, a material which creates a long-lasting, durable, flexible and easy-to-clean puzzle piece. Traditional puzzle shapes have been drawn on for each segment, but the edge of the picture is already complete and the puzzle shapes are chunkier and easier to handle. A background designed for contrast and low vision guides users to help them match and place the pieces in the correct position.

When the fun is over

If you wish to donate used puzzles that are still in prime condition, contact a health care system in your area to see if someone there can use them. Puzzles are used regularly by occupational, behavioral and recreational therapists in their therapeutic groups with patients of all ages in order to promote concentration, self-esteem, team-building and socialization.

So which should you choose, a physical jigsaw puzzle that comes in a box, or one that you download and play online? If you can, why not try them both - since either way it is an inexpensive hobby with many potential benefits!

The Best Jigsaw Puzzles Gift Guide

Times Square in Christmas Wooden Puzzle 1000 Pieces

This gorgeous 1000-piece puzzle shows the scene of Christmas' night, the mystery space filled with shine star, great building hanged with beautiful wall posters, a wonderful Christmas tree located on the middle of the suqare, childs and parents play together. The is a puzzle picture with happiness smell. It's a great choice when you consider to send a holiday gift.

Kid's Drawing Fun

Kid's Drawing Fun 500 Pieces Jigsaw Puzzle For Adults

The funny 5000 jigsaw puzzle for adults and kids will tell a dreaming story which shows a mystery city with building and house, some interesting trees located on the ground with some beautiful patterns. This should be a great gift when you want to send a puzzle gift to your kids.

The Tree of All Origins 1000 Pieces Jigsaw Puzzle

The Tree of All Origins is a awesome jigsaw puzzle which worth to be framed and hanged on the wall of your living room. The puzzle shows a gorgeous scene, a mystery world tree floating in the air, the sky filled with peaceful cloud, some cute birds flying in the sky, great and dark mountain located on the bottom. 

Some other awesome jigsaw puzzle game for adults are also great gifts for your family ands friends.