packaging as content

November 23, 2010

Edge-Matching Puzzles

Following our recent puzzle/packaging thread, I learned about these promotional edge-matching puzzles on Rob’s Puzzle Page. (Photo on the right is from Rob’s page; photos above and below are from eBay)

Quite a few companies put out advertising-puzzle premiums based on Edwin Lajette Thurston’s 1892 patented puzzle. (Sometimes they’re called “Mystery Puzzles.”)

I like that the puzzle’s geometry requires the product packaging to be shown at every orientation—sideways, right-side-up, upside-down. I like the harlequin motif and the four-color mapping.

Pictorially, I think these would make such cool paintings—anachronistically bridging the gap between pop and op. They could be modular like the puzzle, itself, and hung up in different arrangements. (Even when they’re assembled incorrectly they still look great.)