Jigsaw puzzles

John Spilsbury, a British cartographer, created in 1776 the first puzzle as an educational tool to teach children geography. The name jigsaw comes from the type of saw used to cut the puzzle pieces. But only in the 1900s puzzles became more popular. Jigsaw puzzles can be fun but present also a cognitive exercise for the right (creative and intuitive) and left (logical) side of the brain.

Salamanders by M.C. Escher

Putting a puzzle together helps with hand-eye coordination, builds visual-perceptual skills, and encourages problem-solving skills. Although most puzzles are played by kids, some studies have shown that it can help to prevent dementia and Alzheimer.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

I have always enjoyed playing with puzzles. When catching your attention, they can disconnect you from the outside world. And when completed, they reward you with satisfaction. With increasing age the number of pieces, or level of detail and difficulty increased. I did many different puzzles depicting cartoon figures, famous sights and nature landscapes, which I even hung like a poster on a wall. But in the last years I enjoyed especially puzzles of famous art pieces.

The Dance Class by Edgar Degas

In a bookstore close to the Trinity College in Dublin I found one of the world's smallest jigsaw puzzles (10 cm x 15 cm big). In addition it shows elephants :) These majestic animals have large brains and are known for their fabulous memory.

Quite Possibly The World's Smallest Jigsaw Puzzle by British Mensa