Fig. 62 |
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Challenge: join just 10 cubic blocks together to make three puzzle pieces that interlock to form a puzzle having threefold axial symmetry. Impossible? Of course, if you assume that the blocks are joined face-to-face. But when cubic blocks are joined by their half-faces or quarter-faces, many new possibilities arise, as well as hopeless confusion!
All of the information required to construct such a puzzle is contained in the drawings in Fig. 62. This is such an amazing puzzle, it would be a shame to spoil it by giving the solution here. But note the following: interlocking puzzles of this sort must be quite accurately made to be entirely satisfactory or even to be assemblable at all. Usually the easiest way to achieve this is to glue at least some of the joints with the blocks held together in their assembled positions. Since that option is not given here, unless the reader is able to achieve the difficult feat of solving this puzzle on paper, the alternative is to first make a rough model using soft material or rubber cement. Then, after the solution is discovered, a model accurate model can be made of hardwood.
This puzzle has an interesting history. The one symmetrical face of the assembled puzzle happens to resemble a certain corporate logo. The company wanted a simple puzzle incorporating this pattern for some sort of promotional scheme. So the arrangement of six of the blocks was already determined. All that was required to complete the design was the addition of four more blocks in a sort of triangular pyramid and a judicious choice of glue joints to make it into an interesting interlocking puzzle. So the company got what they wanted - except for one thing. It turned out to be anything but simple! Do not be discouraged if you cannot solve it straight away - it has baffled experts!
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