A comic once quipped that he wanted to die healthy. It’s common knowledge that exercise, eating well and not smoking are well documented ways to maintaining good health. It’s now appears to be more accepted that in order to help reduce the onset of various dementias, keeping one’s brain healthy is also important. Reading is an obvious activity as is doing puzzles. They can be word puzzles or number puzzles such as crosswords or sudoku. Jigsaw puzzles also fall into the category. You are being asked to use your cognitive skills to recognise and assemble hundreds of small pieces into one complete image. Strategy is required as is the ability to recognise shapes and colours and to be able to put the pieces into the right space. Lots of trial and error occur but, sooner or later the picture is completed to the satisfaction of the puzzler. Puzzles, serendipitously invented over 200 years ago in London, are still with us because of the challenge and satisfaction of engaging ones mental skills, concentration and hand-eye coordination in a pleasurable activity remains appealing.

When puzzles were first invented over 200 years ago by a London mapmaker who would have reckoned with their staying power? Now in the economic downturn puzzles have once again proven their appeal: value. Compared to going out to a movie for two plus a snack, you can get a brand new jigsaw puzzle which will provide a satisfying challenge, is easily shared and can last for weeks at a time. Products come and go but jigsaw puzzles originally developed as a geographic teaching aid are here to stay.