Uncovering the Fascinating History of Crossword Puzzles for Online Gamers

Crossword puzzles seem like they have been around for an eternity. These fun little brain teasers are part and parcel of newspapers, magazines, online gaming platforms, and compendium books.

But where did they come from?

That’s the question we tackle in this article. It explores the origins of crossword puzzles, how they evolved, and some tips for completing historical brain teasers (which are quite difficult!)

The Origins of Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a surprisingly recent invention. The earliest example is believed to be a puzzle by Liverpool journalist Arthur Wynne, born in England. The writer for the New York World developed a diamond-shaped concept called “FUN’s Word-Cross Puzzle,” which included most of the elements of the modern game.

The initial design wasn’t viral but the New York World began including similar puzzles in its weekly publications to attract a broader readership. Later, the Pittsburgh Press began publishing crosswords and by 1916 they had become a regular feature with The Boston Globe following in 1917.

The crossword craze took off even more during the 1920s when comic strips began covering the puzzles. For example, Clare Briggs published one called Movie of a Man Doing the Cross-Word Puzzle which partly explained how the game worked and the challenges involved. The strip captures many of the frustrations of modern players, including difficulties thinking up synonyms for words and knowing how to interpret clues.

Simon & Schuster published the first official crossword book in 1924 after Simon’s aunt suggested the idea. The two men didn’t know whether it would work, so they opted to print a small run first. However, it became an instant hit among the educated classes, leading to more publications.

During the late 1920s, crosswords became a craze. Everyone wanted to try them, testing their vocabulary and ability to interpret cryptic clues. However, by 1930, the pastime settled down. People still played them but as The Times of London noted, “the fad stage has passed” and it was now becoming a normal, accepted part of life (and the newspapers).

Originally, crossword clues weren’t cryptic. However, that changed when English translator and poet Edward Powys Mathers submitted a new challenging version to the Westminster Gazette in Britain. The editors loved the concept and approached Mathers for more to use in further publications. Later, the poet agreed to work with the Observer throughout the 1930s, creating hundreds of new puzzles before he died in 1939.

Evolution of Historical Crossword Puzzles

Wynne’s first crossword looks strange to the modern eye. The empty spaces had a uniform diamond-like pattern instead of today’s more random approach, with added words having to create new ones in multiple directions. Unfortunately, this design made crosswords more challenging to construct and limited the number of words designers could include and where.

Furthermore, it was similar to the double diamond and word square puzzles that dominated the 19th century. These games looked like crosswords but lacked some elements of the modern version.

During the 1930s, the complexity and structure of crosswords changed and standardized grids evolved with black squares. These arrangements allowed designers to black out sections where it didn’t make sense to add words or include letters (perhaps because nothing could form in the gap).

This change, combined with cryptic clues, completed the evolution of the underlying, paper-based game. Crossword designers could add any words and clues, increasing the challenge for an increasingly educated readership.

The next real stage in the evolution came during the 1990s when crosswords went digital. The New York Times started adding them to its website, charging users a subscription to play them daily.

Themed crosswords also developed around this time. These game versions asked players to fill in words from a specific topic, like math or nature.

Tips for Completing Historical Crossword Puzzles

Completing historical crossword puzzles was simpler than today because of the design. The earliest game creators didn’t quite know the level of challenge they should choose.

However, the difficulty soon ramped up in the late 1920s and 1930s, making completing old crosswords a fun pastime. But how can you master them?

Go Back And Read Up On Contemporary Culture

Many historical crossword clues related to contemporary culture. Puzzle designers would give players cryptic messages based on current events, well-known phrases, or happenings in the entertainment world.

As such, developing a grasp of these is tremendously helpful. Otherwise, clues won’t mean anything to you and you will need to look everything up.

Learn Crossword Tropes

You also want to learn common crossword tropes – specific patterns clues take and what they mean. Clues often have a predictable structure, allowing you to think in a way that leads you to a specific word.

Be aware of the old-fashioned English used in some clues. While English was modernizing during the 20th century, many crossword designers grew up in the 19th century and were used to using old words like “anon” and “thou.”

Learn About Famous Figures And Events

Finally, you should learn about famous figures and events from the early 20th century. Brushing up on these gives you more context.

For example, crossword clues might include references to famous scientists at the time, like Niels Bohr, or to politicians, like Lord Halifax. Understanding these provides clearer insights into what questions to ask.

Many players love exploring US history through crossword puzzles. Clues and answers provide helpful information on what was happening at the time, and how it made a difference in the world we live in today.

Where to Find Printable History Crossword Puzzles

You can find printable history crossword puzzles across the internet. Dozens of sites allow you to download them for free, or pay a fee for premium options.

You can also play randomly generated crossword puzzles online. These provide a new challenge every time you fire them up as you never know what words or clues will appear.

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