BrainTrackers and FlashJigsawPuzzles Games Info

Online jigsaws have become very popular over the years, but did you know that the jigsaw was invented way back in the 18th century? Here's a bit of history for you.

The origins of jigsaw puzzles go back to around 1760 when European map makers pasted maps onto wood and cut them into small pieces. Their invention is credited to John Spilsbury, a London engraver and mapmaker.

The end product was an educational pastime, designed as an aid in teaching British children their geography. The idea certainly caught on. The eighteenth century inventors of jigsaw puzzles would be amazed to see the transformations of the last 230 years. American children still learn geography by playing with puzzle maps of the United States or the world. Children's puzzles have moved primarily from lessons to entertainment, with diverse subjects such as animals, landmarks, imaginary places and modern tales of super heroes. But the biggest surprise for the early puzzle makers would be how adults have embraced puzzling over the last century.

In 1880, with the introduction of the treadle saw, what had previously been known as dissections came to be known as jigsaw puzzles, although they were actually cut by a fretsaw, not a true jigsaw. Towards the end of the century plywood came to be used with illustrations glued or painted on the front of the wood.

Cardboard puzzles were first introduced in the late 1800s, and were primarily used for children's puzzles. It was not until the 20th century that cardboard puzzles came to be die-cut. In the early 1900s, both wooden and cardboard jigsaw puzzles were available. Wooden puzzles still dominated, as manufacturers were convinced that customers would not be interested in "cheap" cardboard puzzles.

The Golden Age of jigsaw puzzles came in the 1920s and 1930s when new marketing strategies took hold. And ever since then, the popularity of jigsaw puzzles has waxed and waned. Right now, they're quite popular both on and off the Internet. In addition to their educational value, jigsaws also serve to stimulate your brain function.

In fact, just about any game or puzzle, including quizzes, that you find intriguing can help stimulate your brain. Here's a look at some other games that are fun and challenging and, best of all, free.

1. Crossword Puzzles: Everyone's old favorite, crossword puzzles, are updated and available online at many sites and you can usually choose your puzzle's topic and your skill level.

2. Sudoku: This challenging, fun and incredibly addictive number game may very well become the crossword puzzle of the 21st century. You can find it in many newspapers, the TV Guide and even online.

3. Brain Puzzles: If you have five houses in five different colors, and in each house lives someone with a different nationality, pet and favorite drink, can you use 10 clues to find out who owns the fish? This is the type of addictive puzzle that will wrack your brain and improve it at the same time.

4. Brain Teasers: Brain teasers, riddles, logic problems, quizzes and mind puzzles all serve to improve your brain health and you can do them everyday.