Puzzles: From Ancient Times to Modern Brain Exercise

The first known puzzles come from ancient times. Archaeologists have discovered puzzle-like lock mechanisms in Egyptian tombs. The Greeks also created disentanglement puzzles, showing the long history of human fascination with intellectual challenges.

Jigsaw puzzles originated in the 1760s when London cartographer John Spilsbury mounted a map on wood, cutting along national borders. They were intended as educational tools to teach British children geography, not as entertainment.

The Rubik's Cube, invented in 1974 by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, was initially called the Magic Cube. It became a global craze in the 1980s, spurring international competitions and a dedicated solving community.

Crossword puzzles are a relatively modern pastime, first published in 1913 in the 'New York World' newspaper. Created by journalist Arthur Wynne, they were initially named 'word-cross puzzles' and have since become a staple in newspapers worldwide.

During World War II, puzzles took a critical role. The Enigma machine, a complex encryption device used by the Germans, presented a challenging puzzle. Alan Turing and his team's work to decipher it was pivotal in the Allied victory.

Despite its Japanese name, Sudoku has its roots in the 18th-century European game 'Latin Squares'. The puzzle gained popularity in Japan in the late 20th century, where it got its current name, meaning 'single numbers'.

Solving puzzles is more than just fun; it's beneficial for your brain. Regular puzzle-solving activities have been linked to improved memory, better problem-solving skills, and a delay in the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.