The engraver and cartographer John Spilsbury, of London, is believed to have produced the first jigsaw puzzle around 1766. Spilsbury created the first puzzle as an educational tool to teach geography.
He affixed a world map to wood and carved each country out to create the first puzzle. Sensing a business opportunity, he created puzzles on eight themes – the World, Europe, Asia, Africa, America, England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.
Featured Image: John Spilsbury’s “Europe divided into its kingdoms” / Image: Twitter – Jessica Rosenkrantz
Websites: museumofplay.org
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