| ©1990-2005 by Stewart T. Coffin For questions or comments regarding this site, contact the chief metagrobologist:  |
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All of the puzzles described thus far (except one) have been non-interlocking. Most of them employ a tray or box to hold the pieces in place. The puzzles to be described in this chapter, and throughout the remaining chapters, are interlocking. In other words, they hold themselves together. To be more precise, an interlocking puzzle is here defined as one in which the last step of assembly (or first step of disassembly) necessarily involves sliding of mating surfaces parallel to each other. Such puzzles tend not to come apart without deliberate effort. A box is no longer needed to hold them, so they can be any geometrical shape and can be displayed in full view when assembled. There is more freedom in manipulation of the pieces. Beyond these obvious practical advantages, isn't there something intrinsically more satisfying in things that stay together rather than fall apart by themselves? (Anyone who owns a car like mine will understand!)
Cubic Block Puzzles
The Convolution Puzzle
The Three-Piece Block Puzzle
| ©1990-2005 by Stewart T. Coffin For questions or comments regarding this site, contact the chief metagrobologist: |
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