The Yes Puzzle Blog
Every article on the site, newest first: mechanical puzzles, jigsaws, brain teasers, puzzle boxes, and the science of solving. New articles publish on a rolling schedule; subscribe to the RSS feed to catch them.
Caring for Metal Puzzles: Tarnish, Plating, and Storage
Polishing does more damage to metal puzzles than solving ever will. Here is what conservation guidance says about tarnish, plating, humidity…
How Humidity Changes the Fit of a Wooden Puzzle
A puzzle that slid apart easily in August can lock solid in January. The cause is equilibrium moisture content, and understanding it tells y…
Soma Cube and the Puzzles of Piet Hein
Seven small polycube pieces, one three by three by three target, and 240 distinct ways to get there. Here is how the Soma cube works, where …
Preserving and Framing a Finished Jigsaw Puzzle
Gluing a puzzle is a one way decision, and the backing board you choose will outlive it. National Archives conservation guidance on acid mig…
Fine Motor Skills and What Handling Pieces Involves
Picking up a puzzle piece involves a precision grip, wrist stabilisation and two hands doing different jobs at once. What touch contributes …
Puzzles, Attention, and Recovering From Screen Fatigue
Switching between tasks costs measurable time, and the idea that attention needs recovery has real research behind it. What that research do…
Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles and the Return of Hand-Cut Craft
Wood was the original puzzle substrate and cardboard pushed it aside on cost alone. Here is what plywood actually does for a thin puzzle pan…