A Brief History of Jigsaw Puzzles

What do U.S. Presidents, The Queen of England, Martha Stewart, Oprah, and Czar Nicholas II have in common? They all share a love of jigsaw puzzles. Although there is some debate about the true beginnings of the craft, the history of hand-cut jigsaw puzzles dates back to at least the 1760s.

Hand-carved wooden puzzles, what we now call “jigsaw puzzles,” were introduced as educational tools for children in the 18th century. The concept took off and the puzzle industry was born.

We get the term “jigsaw puzzle” from the jigsaw itself, which was invented in the 1880s. Beginning in the 19th century, it became common to use scroll saws, and these days puzzle artisans use powered scroll saws to create the intricate shapes and tricks that you’ll find in Elms’ hand-cut puzzles. While both types of saws allow for curves in delicate materials, scroll saws allow for much finer cuts. With all that, we agree that “Jigsaw” just sounds better. 

Other innovations throughout the 19th century also helped create the puzzles we know and love today. Plywood, introduced to America in 1865, provided a cheaper material that also supported more intricate cutting patterns. Progress in lithographic printing techniques made it easier to affix higher quality images, with brighter colors, onto the wood. More recently, the introduction of laser-cutting has made wooden puzzles more accessible, however the computer numerical control (CNC) process necessitates a thinner, lower-quality wood with thicker cuts than hand-cutting can achieve. While laser-cut wooden puzzles have done much to introduce a new generation to wooden jigsaw puzzles, some laser-cut brands choose to use the term “handcrafted” in their marketing. 

1766: The First Puzzle

The first hand-cut puzzle was crafted in 1766 by London cartographer and engraver, John Spilsbury. He created his puzzles by mounting geographic maps onto wood and used a scroll saw to cut out each piece along geographic boundaries. These early puzzles were invented as an educational tool to teach children about history and geography in a unique, engaging way.

1865: Early Puzzle Craftsmanship

Because of its relative affordability, strength and light weight, plywood made its way into puzzle manufacturing shortly after its introduction to America in 1865. Around the same time, mechanical treadle or scroll saws became much more common, making it easier to create intricate designs, a practice that we still employ today. 

1907 - 1911: The First Puzzle Craze

The first significant puzzle craze swept through the Northeast U.S. between 1907 and 1911, captivating people from all walks of life—especially the wealthy. A New York Times headline even declared, “New Puzzle Menaces the City’s Sanity,” capturing the frenzy of the era. Puzzles became a must-have for vacation homes and house parties, leading to puzzle rental libraries, shared clubs, and exchanges where enthusiasts could swap their old puzzles for a small fee.

1930s: An Attainable Luxury

Puzzle makers switched from wood to cardboard to cut costs during the Great Depression. This change made it possible to mass-produce puzzles quickly and affordably using standard die-cut methods instead of hand-cutting. Cardboard puzzles became the go-to for puzzlers and their families.

1940s: The Second Puzzle Craze

By the 1940s the popularity of puzzles inspired a resurgence of interest in one-of-a-kind wooden puzzles. These artisan puzzles became cherished collectibles, admired for their creativity and unique touches. As the craze grew, people craved more challenging puzzles with intricate edges, no cover images to guide them, and even pictures on both sides. The biggest game-changer was the introduction of “figure” pieces, shaped like familiar objects, which added a new level of fun to the puzzle experience.

1987: Elms is Founded

Elms Puzzles was founded in 1987 by Betsy Stuart. The name comes from her initials, Elizabeth Lee McShane Stuart or E.L.M.S. Betsy ran the company from her log cabin home in Maine for 20 years until she passed away in 2007. Her husband Fred, along with artisans Lisa, Rose, Debby, Chris, and Kristin, continued the business in her honor. Fred has since retired, but we continue Betsy's dedication to producing beautifully handcrafted puzzles.

2020: The Modern Era

The global COVID pandemic of 2020 saw history repeat itself as families turned to jigsaw puzzles for entertainment and comfort. Puzzle companies reported a 300% increase in demand, yet production stalled as businesses were deemed non-essential. Despite these challenges, the demand for quality craftsmanship never waned. Puzzles once again became a beloved pastime, providing peace and accomplishment in uncertain times.

Present Day: Elms Puzzles

Puzzling has a rich history, and Elms strives to pay homage to that heritage by doing things the old-fashioned way. We pride ourselves on keeping the tradition of hand-cut puzzles alive because it produces the finest-quality puzzles in the world. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual puzzler, our hand-cut puzzles are crafted to be treasured for years to come. Our artisans use classic techniques mixed with fresh designs to create puzzles that are beautiful and fun to solve.